1) All applications for absence from the Assembly must be approved by the whip designated by the political party. 2) In the case of the Council, after obtaining approval from his or her political party, a Member must also inform the relevant Provincial Whip and the Chief Whip of the Council who will where applicable, based on the work of the Council, consult with the Member or his/her party leadership to approve or reject the leave. 3) If a Member is not able to apply for leave him/herself another Member or representative of his/her party may do so. 4) Should the reasons provided by the Member or his or her representative when applying for leave be found to not warrant the granting of the specified number of days, this will be communicated to the Member, the political party whip and in the case of a Member of the Council to the Provincial Whip and the Chief Whip of that Member's political party. 5) Should a Member fall ill during the leave period, the Member may have the leave credited from the first day of the Member falling ill provided that a medical certificate is provided.