All municipal councils will be dissolved on 13 June, PM Pravind Jugnauth has revealed in a written reply he just filed at the Library of the National Assembly.
The reply, according to l’Express, followed a question set by MMM MP Deven Nagalingum in… November 2022, asking when the government would hold municipal elections.
In his response, PM Jugnauth also reportedly said that the elections can be held “any time” without giving further details.
He recalled that the mandates of municipal councillors should have expired in June 2021. But, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government amended the law in May 2021 to extend their mandate for one year.
A new amendment to the Local Government Act in April 2022 extended the same mandate for an additional year as from June 14, 2022.
Reacting to the reply, Opposition whip Patrice Armance said that the PM should now specify the date of these elections.
On Sunday, Week-End newspaper claimed the MSM ruling was allegedly considering of replacing the elected officials with commissions appointed to run the towns until the next general elections.
“With its popularity in “free fall”, especially with a growing list of scandals, the MSM ruling is considering this option, which would save them from having to go to the municipal elections and be defeated.”
A recent survey by Afrobarometer revealed that only half of citizens of Mauritius think their local officials are doing a good job, and even fewer say they trust them. Most citizens believe that at least some local government councillors are involved in corruption.
Sources: l’Express, Week-End
