Parliament, Friday, 14 June 2024

Today is the first sitting of the National Assembly (NA) as determined by the Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo. The first sitting is a formal sitting where designated members are sworn in and where the Presiding Officers are elected to constitute the National Assembly.

 

The first sitting of the National Council of Provinces is scheduled to take place tomorrow, 15 June at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

 

The NA is elected to represent the people and to ensure government by the people under the Constitution. It does this by choosing the President, providing a national forum for public debate of important issues, passing laws, and overseeing the executive.

 

During today’s sitting Chief Justice Zondo will preside over the sitting and the swearing in of all the designated members present at the sitting.

 

Following the swearing in of the members, members will nominate candidates for the position of Speaker.

 

ELECTION OF THE SPEAKER

• Chief Justice Zondo calls for the nomination of candidates for election as Speaker of the NA 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 and proceedings are suspended until the results of the voting can be announced to the House.

• After the announcement of the elected candidate, the Speaker takes the Chair, expresses his or her sense of the honour conferred upon him or her and presides over the election of the Deputy Speaker.

 

ELECTION OF THE DEPUTY SPEAKER

• The Speaker calls for the nomination of candidates for election as Deputy Speaker.

• The Speaker announces the name(s) of the person(s) duly nominated.

• If only one valid nomination is received, the Speaker declares the nominated candidate duly elected.

• If more than one valid nomination is received, members will vote by secret ballot and proceedings are suspended until the results of the voting can be made known.

• After the announcement of the elected candidate, the Deputy Speaker expresses his or her sense of the honour conferred upon him or her.

• The proceedings will be suspended until 14:00

 

When the House resumes, the election of the President of the Republic will get underway.

 

ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

• The Speaker takes the Chair and invites the Chief Justice to preside.

• The Chief Justice calls on Members to nominate candidates for election as President

• The Chief Justice announces the name(s) of the person(s) duly nominated.

• If only one valid nomination is received, the Chief Justice declares the nominated candidate duly elected.

• If more than one valid nomination is received, a vote is taken by secret ballot and proceedings are suspended until the results of the voting can be announced to the House.

• The Speaker then takes the chair and invites parties and the President-elect to address the House.

• The Speaker adjourns the House.