The next member recognized by the chairman might take up a totally different point, leaving the previous member's question hanging in midair.
Just described the body of elders I was part of.
From what I know the brothers in africa did not have to buy the political cards as time went on, they were being handed out to whoever desired one. They didnt even have to be signed. Simply having the card would suffice. Besides there was no other opposing political party so the cards could have been viewed just as an identity card.