Parliament, Saturday, 15 June 2024 – Today is the first sitting of the National Council of (NCOP) as determined by Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Raymond Zondo.
The NCOP represents the provinces to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account in the national sphere of government, by ensuring participation in the national legislative process and by providing a national forum for consideration of issues affecting provinces.
The NCOP consists of 90 provincial delegates. This means that each province is equally represented by 10 delegates in the NCOP, collectively referred to as provincial delegations. The ten delegates constitute a single delegation irrespective of the political parties each delegate represents.
During their first sittings after elections, each provincial legislature appoints permanent delegates to the NCOP in accordance with the nominations of political parties represented in that provincial legislature.
Parties represented in the provincial legislature are entitled to delegates in the province’s delegation in proportion to their representation in the provincial legislature.
A provincial delegation consists of six permanent delegates and four special delegates. The four special delegates consist of the Premier of the province and three other special delegates assigned from members of the provincial legislature.
During today’s sitting, Chief Justice Zondo will preside over the sitting and the swearing in of all the designated delegates present at the sitting.
Following the swearing in, delegates will nominate candidates for the position of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Chief Whip of the Council.
ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON
• Chief Justice Zondo calls for the nomination of candidates for election as Chairperson of the NCOP and will announce the names of the person(s) duly nominated.
• If only one valid nomination is received, Chief Justice Zondo declares the nominated candidate duly elected.
• If more than one valid nomination is received, a vote is taken by secret ballot. Heads of delegations will cast the vote on behalf of each province, so there will be nine votes.
• Proceedings are suspended until the results of the voting can be announced to the House.
• After the announcement of the elected candidate, the Chairperson takes the chair, expresses his or her sense of the honour conferred upon him or her and presides over the election of the Deputy Chairperson.
ELECTION OF THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
• The Chairperson calls for the nomination of candidate(s) for election as Deputy Chairperson.
• The Chairperson announces the name(s) of the person(s) duly nominated.
• If only one valid nomination is received, the Chairperson declares the nominated candidate duly elected.
• If more than one valid nomination is received, a vote is taken by secret ballot. Heads of delegations will cast the vote on behalf of each province i.e. there will be nine votes.
• After the announcement of the elected candidate, the Deputy Chairperson expresses his or her sense of the honour conferred upon him or her.
ELECTION OF THE CHIEF WHIP OF THE COUNCIL
• The Chairperson calls for the nomination of candidate(s) for election as Chief Whip
• The Chairperson announces the name(s) of the person(s) duly nominated.
• If only one valid nomination is received, the Chairperson declares the nominated candidate duly elected.
• If more than one valid nomination is received, a vote is taken by secret ballot. Heads of delegations will cast the vote on behalf of each province i.e. there will be nine votes.
• After the announcement of the elected candidate, the Chief Whip of the Council expresses his or her sense of the honour conferred upon him or her.
• The Chairperson adjourns the House.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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