Thank you. I have been advised that a similar issue was raised in the past when my predecessor, Pius Langa, was presiding. Now, this process is essentially no different from what obtains when the Independent Electoral Commission spearheads the electoral process. Ballot papers are available; people would have registered their names to participate in the electoral process. But nobody can be heard to say that because you have registered and there is a ballot paper available to you, you are forced, whether at gunpoint or by some other means, not only to present yourself but also to make your mark. [Applause.]
Similarly, this being a democratic process, if any hon member of this House holds the view that they do not want to participate in the process because there is nobody they are going to be voting for, they are free not to respond when they are called to the front to collect their paper and indicate whom they would like to vote for.
Now, "must" is the issue. Our courts have interpreted "must", depending on the context ... [Applause.] ... to mean "may". It is for this reason that against the background I have given, "must" in these Rules, which I was privileged to draft or revise, means "may". [Applause.]