Thank you very much, Chairperson and hon members. At least the Deputy Ministers and the Ministers who are here can see that in the NCOP we don't vote, we just reach consensus. [Laughter.]
Chairperson, I wish to move:
That the Council resolves that the week of 21-25 September 2009 forms part of the constituency period and Members of the National Council of Provinces be allowed to undertake their constituency work until 2 October 2009, as resolved by the Joint Programming Committee on 28 May 2009.
Hon members, since there is no speaker's list on this particular subject, I shall now put the question. The question is that the motion be agreed to. As the decision is dealt with in terms of section 65 of the Constitution, I shall first ascertain whether all permanent delegates and leaders of provincial delegations are in the House. Are all the delegation heads present?
HON MEMBERS: Yes.
In accordance with Rule 71, I shall first allow provinces the opportunity to make their declarations of vote if they so wish. We shall now proceed to the voting on the question. I shall do this in alphabetical order per province.
Delegation heads must please insert their cards before I call the vote. Please press button number one to confirm your presence. Have you inserted your cards in the first place? Those whose cards are not functioning, can you raise your hands so that the procedural staff can assist you with doing it manually? If your card is not functioning just raise your hand so that you get assistance with manual voting. As I call each province, please press the button that is relevant to your confirmation, abstinence or rejection. Have all provinces voted? If anyone has not done so can you raise your hand? I can see that we all confirm that we have voted. I will, therefore, declare the voting closed and request the procedural staff to assist me with the results.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape.
ABSTAIN: North West.
Motion accordingly agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.