3.1 In terms of section 74(3) of the Constitution, a Bill amending the Constitution must also be passed by the National Council of Provinces (the NCOP), with a supporting vote of at least six provinces, if the amendment, amongst others, alters provincial boundaries, powers, functions or institutions. Provision is further made in section 74(8) of the Constitution that if such a Bill, or any part of such a Bill, concerns only a specific province or provinces, the NCOP may not pass the Bill or the relevant part unless it has been approved by the legislature or legislatures of the province or provinces concerned. These constitutional provisions effectively give provincial legislatures a veto right in respect of proposed constitutional amendments that affect them directly.