The Northern Cape legislature says there will be no disruption during the inaugural session of the seventh government on Friday, with at least five political parties due to be in parliament for the swearing-in of new members and the election and nomination of a speaker, deputy speaker and premier.
Voting for the three positions will be by secret ballot.
The secretary of the divided Northern Cape provincial legislature said he expected all 30 members elected from the various political parties to take their seats in the seventh parliamentary term.
Fifteen of the seats belong to the African National Congress (ANC), four to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), seven to the Democratic Alliance (DA), three to the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and one to the Freedom Front Plus. Parliament's secretary said they were prepared for any eventuality.
“The parliament has internal security who manage the doors and everything. But we are not anticipating any security breach or any action being taken. Yes, we are ready if anything does happen,” said Parliamentary Secretary Patrick Mooperwa.
Because the ANC and the opposition have an equal number of seats, if there is a tie for the posts of speaker, deputy speaker and prime minister, parliament will follow the constitution.
“If you look at the Second Schedule to the Constitution, it gives the procedure to be followed in case of a tie vote. So if something happens, we may have to suspend Parliament for around seven days. In case of a tie vote, I am hopeful that MPs, political parties will talk to each other and we will have a very progressive Parliament,” Mooperwa explained.
Northern Cape Chief Judge Pule Tlaletsi will oversee the proceedings, which are expected to open their doors to at least 150 people, including members of the public.
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