In a major development, the Cabinet has approved the decision to introduce a third amendment to the Local Government Act to postpone the municipal elections by two years.
The Municipal councils, which were scheduled to be dissolved at latest June 13, would now be operational until 2025.
According to reports, the bill could be presented Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth for its first reading, debate, and likely adoption by the National Assembly this Tuesday May 23.
“A simple majority is required to pass the bill,” Defi Media reported. Last year, the Municipal elections were postponed again due to the “prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine restrictions”.
The parliamentary opposition wasted no time in expressing their unanimous outcry, labelling it as ‘cowardice’.
“The object of the Bill is to amend the Local Government Act to empower the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, to further extend the life of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, or entire Village Councils for a period of two years,” said a Cabinet decision issued on May 20.
Patrice Armance, Whip of the parliamentary Opposition, immediately denounced the move. “In 2015, urban voters had voted and elected members of the municipal councils for a six-year term. Now, they are being told that their elected representatives will be there for ten years, without their agreement.”
He told l’Express that the only motivation for justifying this decision is the “Prime Minister’s fear of the urban electorate.” Regarding the earlier COVID-19 related postponement, he pointed out that it was “a pretext anyway, as elections took place elsewhere in the world and even in Rodrigues during the health crisis.”
MMM MP Deven Nagalingum said he is convinced that if the MSM ruling party goes to the elections now, it will be a “baté bef” (a lost cause), and that is the main reason for the postponement.
Arts and Cultural Heritage Minister Avinash Teeluck defended that a reform of Local Government was the reason behind the postponement of the municipal elections.
“We are looking at things from a different perspective. Over time, the country and the population have evolved. It is important to reflect on democracy and local governance,” the minister said.
He announced the setting up of a committee to work on a reform of local government, including a review of the laws under the Local Government Act, before proceeding with the elections.
Sources: L’Express, Defi Media
