ID'S PATRICIA DE LILLE - ‘ID REMAINS COMMITTED' TO OPPOSITION TALKS

At a routine NEC meeting, which is held 3 times a year, the National Executive Committee of the Independent Democrats met today to discuss the following issues -

1. the 9 provincial reports

2. amendments to the ID Constitution, and

3. a report back on the discussions with opposition parties

The NEC discussed the preparations and readiness of the various provinces for local government elections next year. In this regard, ID President Patricia de Lille and ID MPs will visit all the provinces to meet with the party's structures between the 14 June and 16 July.

In reference to the Constitutional amendments, the NEC was given a mandate by its National Conference on 20 March 2010 to permit members of the Independent Democrats to join another political party, under certain circumstances, while retaining ID membership [see Resolution below].

In relation to the report back on the discussions with other opposition parties, the Negotiating Team summarized the events that have unfolded since May 2009.

The NEC today extended the mandate of the Negotiating Team to continue with their exploratory discussions with opposition parties and was reminded that 62 days of the 180 days given to them at the party's National Congress on 20 March to possibly come up with an agreement, have passed.

‘The Independent Democrats remains committed to ensuring that this process succeeds so as to bring hope to South Africans. If we fail, this will be a major setback for our democracy,' says ID President Patricia de Lille.

EIGTHEENTH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATS

Introduction

The purpose of the amendment is to permit members of the Independent Democrats to join one or more other political parties in certain circumstances.

AMENDMENTS

On this day, the 20th of March 2010, and in accordance with the provisions of section 93 of the Constitution of the Independent Democrats, the Constitution was amended as follows:

1. The substitution of clause 10.4 with the ff new clause: " subject to clause 10A, not be a member of any other Party."

2. The Inclusion of the ff new clauses 10A; 10B and 10C.

MEMBERSHIP OF AND SUPPORT FOR OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES

10A Any member may join, canvas for or support another political party provided that the prior approval of the NEC is obtained on application to the NEC on the form prescribed by the Secretary General.

10B The NEC may approve an application referred to in clause 10A if it is considered to be in the interest of furthering the aims of the Party as set out in clause 4.

10C Any member who may have joined, canvassed for or supported another political party as contemplated in section 10A, must resign from that other party, or cease to canvass for or support that Party, immediately after being directed to do so by the NEC.

3. The inclusion of the words: "Subject to clauses 10A, 10B and 10C" at the beginning of clause 15.

4. The inclusion of the words: "Subject to clauses 10A, 10B and 10C" at the beginning of clause 103.

With effect from:

Signed by Chairperson of National Executive Committee:

Date:

Issued by the Independent Democrats, May 24 2010

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