No clarity on whether secret vote will be held

IT WAS still unclear last night whether a secret ballot would be held in a vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma in the National Assembly.

The ball was left squarely in the court of Speaker Baleka Mbete, following a Constitutional Court ruling yesterday that she was the only one with the power to decide on a secret ballot.

Answering questions in Parliament yesterday, Zuma rejected a secret ballot, saying MPs should vote openly as they had done in the previous seven motions of no confidence against him.

This put pressure on Mbete, who earlier said she was willing to consider a secret ballot after the Constitutional Court judgment.

“Parliament wishes to reaffirm its commitment to give effect to the decision of the court,” a statement from Parliament said.

“The Speaker of the National Assembly had no personal or in-principle opposition to the use of a secret ballot in a vote of no confidence in the president. The court confirmed this fact.”

The national legislature said that the judgment affirms Mbete’s argument that both the constitution and the National Assembly rules failed to make provision for a president’s removal via secret ballot.

“The Speaker’s view was a cautious one. As a creation of the constitution, she has to ensure that all her decisions are firmly in line with the constitution, the law and the Rules of the National Assembly,” Parliament said.

“Now that the court has clarified that the Speaker has the powers under the constitution to conduct motions of no confidence by way of a secret ballot, she will, accordingly, ensure the judgment is given effect.”

The ruling was widely welcomed by opposition parties and other organisations.

Cope said in a statement that it had been a victory for democracy.

ACDP MP Steve Swart welcomed the ruling too.