Representative's contract

["Jim Powell" <jimpowell(at)mweb.co.za>]

Hi All,

South Africa is having local elections by May this year.

We have the common system of being able to elect a 5 year dictator.

The proposed contract below ties the councillor to the voters

Get control over your Ward Councillors after the 2011 elections.

 

The contract should be between the candidate and a community organisation, preferably a section 21 company and should read as follows:

 

I, (candidate), acknowledge that I will receive support from my (community organisation) in my ward and acknowledge that I am in effect the employee of the voters since the voters choose who gets employed by voting and pay my salary through the rates. I commit myself to Direct Democracy in the form of a referendum process. This process must follow the form of a petition similar to the format required by the Council for petitions. I will then vote in accordance with the results of the referendum.

 

I further commit to the voters in my ward being able to recall (fire) me. The norm worldwide where recall is in operation is  25% of the number of voters who voted in the last election signing an open petition. Should this be reached, I will resign. I will be able to stand again in the next election. The recall may not be initiated within 6 months of me taking office, or when an election date has been set.

 

Should I not follow the results of the referendum or refuse to resign as required by the recall process, I will be liable for a charge of R 500,000 (?) for the support that I have received from the (community organisation).

 

 

Signed _____________(Community Organisation)

 

 

Signed______________(Candidate)

 

Please knock the proposal around and send back.

I am not sure if it is enforceable. That can be tested in court.

What I need is your ideas so that the contract is as tight as possible

I will be attending the election meetings of the candidates and handing out the contract to those attending.

I will also be carrying out an email blitz

Regards

Jim Powell