There has to be a way to include the public’s voice after elections
When voters choose a party, they are also endorsing individual MPs
The vote of no confidence by secret ballot may be in the distant past but its ripple effects will be with us for some time to come.
As the ANC pursues those who dared to defy the party line and came out publicly about doing so, the secret ballot has left indelible marks on our political system.
The biggest loser, as Steven Friedman has ably argued, is democracy and the principle of openness.
That the crisis of accountability is far from being resolved is evident in that the opposition failed to secure the removal of President Jacob Zuma after claiming it would.
Ultimately, the secret ballot and the failed motion has undermined the voter and necessitates that the important question of who is boss between elections – voters or political parties – be resolved.
In its judgment in the case of UDM vs Speaker of Parliament, the Constitutional Court emphasised that there should be a balance between the expectation of an MP’s loyalty to their party and loyalty to the constitution – and by extension, to voters.
When voters cast their vote in the general election they not only select a political party but approve the list of names appearing on the party lists. In this way, by voting for their party they also endorse the representatives of that party to parliament.
This means that MPs find themselves in parliament on two accounts: on the basis of their parties having selected them and of voters endorsing their appearance on the party list. Thus, MPs have dual accountability, both to political parties and to voters.
It is common practice for political parties to hold their MPs to a strict party line.
According to some party constitutions, such as that of the ANC, MPs may be subjected to disciplinary action for failing to carry out the instructions of the parliamentary caucus.
And this can create a conflict between an MPs adherence to party orders and their adherence to constitutional
‘‘ MPs have dual accountability, to political parties and to voters
principles and values.
The constitution places the people front and centre of our political system, by entrenching participation in democratic processes as a key pillar of our democracy.
It is not easy though to gauge the will of the people between elections, and this is why arguments that citizens were demanding the removal of Zuma were a difficult sell.
Against this backdrop, the impetus to bring the voice of the citizens to the centre of political processes and decision-making becomes imperative.
Political parties are central to our party system. This is all the more reason that they need to ensure that internal party democracy conforms to the principles enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Because political parties are member based, it means that not all citizens participate in party processes, but political parties derive their support and mandate from voters who are not members.
The onus is thus on parties to find ways to engage the public in party programmes and decision-making. This can be done through a commitment to greater openness and transparency and the broadening of participatory platforms.
Strengthening the culture of polling between elections is also an important, albeit controversial, way of gauging public opinion.
Polls periodically undertaken among citizens have the potential to provide a window into public sentiment. This information could assist MPs in understanding the public mood as they contend with balancing their party interest with their obligation to the voting public.
These are pertinent considerations that should exercise the minds of MPs, political leadership across political affiliation and civil society to safeguard the credibility of our democracy.