Cape Town - The DA challenged the nomination of the ANC's Baleka Mbete for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The Democratic Alliance nominated former Eastern Cape premier Nosimo Balindlela to challenge Mbete.
Applause erupted from ruling party benches when ANC MP Pamela Tshwete nominated Mbete.
This was followed by howling when DA MP Annette Steyn announced the party would nominate Balindlela.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng announced a break in proceedings while ballot boxes were brought in for a secret vote.
In 2009 Max Sisulu was elected Speaker unopposed.
MPs stretched their legs by congregating in groups outside the Assembly chamber, while other went outside to smoke.
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema smiled as he and his party's other 24 MPs posed for photos in the designated smoking area.
Malema turned his back when approached by reporters and referred all queries to his fellow MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Ndlozi confirmed that he and Malema were told to remove their berets by staff accrediting MPs for Saturday's presidential inauguration in Pretoria.
Both men refused to remove their EFF headgear and left the accreditation venue at Parliament.
They were later called back and allowed to wear their signature berets for the photograph. - Sapa