May I have the House's attention please. It has just been brought to my attention that an hon member inadvertently made a mark where she did not intend to. In terms of the Rules that govern this process, Rule 5(7) in particular, if, during the ballot, the presiding officer is satisfied that a ballot paper has been inadvertently spoiled, he or she must instruct the returning officer to cancel that ballot paper, endorse the counterfoil thereof accordingly and issue a new ballot paper to the member or the leader of the provincial delegation concerned. This doesn't affect the NCOP, so the question of the leader of the provincial delegation does not arise.
I have looked at the mark. I am satisfied that it was inadvertently made and I, accordingly, instruct the returning officer to cancel the ballot paper, endorse the counterfoil thereof and issue a new ballot paper to the member who brought this to our attention. Thank you.
The member may step forward. [Interjections.] I would have preferred to save the hon member the embarrassment, but I can't do anything.
The Chief Justice announced that business would be suspended to allow the votes to be counted.
Business suspended at 14:44 and resumed at 15:51.
The Chief Justice took the Chair.