SECRET BALLOT
STEVEN FRIEDMAN: Nothing democratic about way ANC chooses leaders
The secrecy of the ballot, and the absence of accurate delegate figures, reduces the already slim possibility that the result will be accepted by the losers
Anyone silly enough to believe that SA’s political debate is about principle could be soon reminded that it isn’t. Which is another way of saying that the loud lobbies that demanded a secret ballot for Parliament’s no-confidence debate may soon find that not allowing people to know how their representatives vote is much less appealing if it means that the person the ANC conference elects as president is not the one most ANC members wanted. The ANC’s method of choosing leaders shows how absurd it is to allow people who represent others to vote in secret. Branches meet not only to choose delegates to the conference, but to decide for whom they should vote. Members choose candidates for the top positions and their delegates are meant to respect their choice. But they will never know which way their delegates voted because the ballot is secret. There is nothing fair or democratic about this.
The delegates are at the conference only because their fellow branch members sent them. Bu...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.