9th+Congress,+Political,+5+of+8,+Strengthening+Democracy

Draft Adopted Resolutions of the 9th COSATU National Congress

 * (For advance study purposes only. Wait for the printed edition, or refer to the official [|COSATU web site]for the authoritative version)**

Political Resolutions, 5 of 8
=1.5 Strengthening democracy:=


 * Noting:**

1. The current Constitution was a compromise with many undemocratic elements, the property clause and, federalism and the electoral system.

2. The federal system in the form of provincial legislatures has become wasteful of resources, permits competition amongst provinces, prevents radical redistributive measures and marginalises citizens who live in smaller or poorer provinces.

3. The Eighth National Congress resolution on the electoral system called for a mixed electoral system at national, provincial and local level and specifically proposed 65% constituency-based and 35% proportional representation.


 * Believing:**

1. Our democracy must be anti-imperialist and jealously safeguard the interest of popular classes and the sovereignty to make its policy


 * Resolve:**

1. Floor crossing legislation must be totally scrapped.

2. (integrate into point 6)

3. To campaign for inclusion of these demands in the manifesto of the ANC, and mandate the leadership of COSATU to pursue them in Alliance meetings.

5. Seek to convince our Alliance partners on the need to test the attitude of the electorate through a referendum. To conduct a ballot of all people during May and June 2007 to determine the level of support for a constituency-based electoral system.

6. A constitutional review/amendment conference be convened as soon as possible after the 2007 ANC conference. Its primary task would include: > a. Developing mechanisms to incorporate systematically the Freedom Charter economic clauses and deal systematically with the property clause. > b. Developing a process of abolishing provincial legislatures and establish a unitary system of government. We reaffirm the resolution of the special congress of 1999 > c. Reviewing and reworking the present electoral system on the basis of the current COSATU proposals for a mixed electoral system.

7. The Alliance must develop a people-centred and people-driven consultation process on demarcation, and provide guidance to the demarcation board.

8. Participatory democracy must be the defining feature in which the state fosters popular involvement in governance and decision making process