Mr Chairperson, this Bill is not perfect, but it seeks to bring about the changes which our courts have asked us to make through the famous Richter case. It is unfortunate that the DA seems to think that it can hold pistols to the heads of the committee in this Parliament by threatening it with legal action. [Interjections.]
There are huge problems with regard to provincial votes. You would probably want to go and observe what happens to people who vote internationally from other countries in the world. It is essentially voting for the national vote. The problems and the practicalities of giving people provincial votes at this stage are extremely difficult.
Why does the DA does have to come and try to say that it will go to court? The hon Selfe's Bill was brought to this House. He would not even sit here during the debate on the Bill because he was so embarrassed by the hon De Freitas and his caucus's unhappiness with that Bill. Now he comes and holds it out as the law of the Medes and the Persians. [Interjections.]
The politicians are already getting ready for the elections. I do not know what meetings the ANC in this Parliament had yesterday and today. But one can see that they are quite excited because one gets the mood of it. I suspect that they are busy working out their lists about who is going to stay and who is going to leave this Parliament. [Laughter.] That is what politics is about, and you know that is why we pushed this Bill through so quickly.
I must compliment Mrs Maggie Maunye, our chairlady, and also our select committee, because we want this Bill. The commission needs to pass regulations and it has to go through the National Council of Provinces. Politicians know that there are elections in April or May next year. So, we are very keen to get this Bill.
People have already mentioned the important parts of the Bill and why it is here. It is a short Bill; it is a technical Bill. I want to make one plea, and it concerns section 2 where it says if you vote overseas, you must have your passport and your ID document. You know, Mr Chairperson, often when people go overseas, they do not take their ID documents with, but always take their passports with them. The passport has their ID number on it. So, it is very easy in our mission to simply check the website of the IEC; it can be picked up if the person is registered, etc.
I would like to suggest that having an ID is not mandatory, but having a South African passport is mandatory. You know, the Electoral Commission, as we would say in isiZulu ...
... Igugu lethu. [... it is our pride.]
It is our darling; it is our sweetheart. It is our favourite organisation, for us as politicians. I do not think we should do anything to undermine it.
I want to express my concern at hon Hlengwa's statements, which he made earlier this afternoon. I do not think we must do things to undermine the IEC. We also need ... [Applause.] ... to recognise it; in fact, it is recognised in this Bill.
I think all of us have been at hot, excited polling stations. Sometimes, in rural schools, more than one classroom is used and it all gets very exciting and pressured. If you come from KwaZulu-Natal where I come from, my experience is that during elections things can get quite hot. [Interjections.]