Local Democracy: Early Municipal Elections Scheduled After March 12

The government has decided to bypass the appointment of commissioners by dissolving municipal councils ahead of schedule. This strategic shift comes as plans for long-overdue municipal elections take shape. During a recent council of ministers meeting, it was agreed to hold these elections in five cities after the national festivities on March 12 of next year.

Indications suggested that the elections may occur towards the end of March 2025.

This timing appeared to take into account religious considerations, particularly the observance of Lent during this period; however, no official date has yet been confirmed.

The anticipated early municipal elections will replace current municipal councilors, who have been in office since 2015, with newly appointed commissioners.

As a result, the dissolution of the five municipal councils is expected to happen early next week, if not sooner.

During the interim, Chief Executive Officers will be appointed to manage ongoing municipal affairs.

In light of these developments, the previously announced reform of regional administrations, including the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee, will likely take place after the municipal elections.

Meanwhile, the status quo is expected to remain in the District Councils and Village Councils.

As reported in December 21’s edition of Le Mauricien, the Electoral Commission does not plan to initiate the annual voter registration process using the House-to-House Survey scheduled for January.

Instead, canvassers from the Electoral Commission will be deployed to Rodrigues for voter registration.

This decision was made due to damage sustained by the commission’s records in Rodrigues — both for legislative and regional elections — during a disaster that affected the regional office in Port-Mathurin just prior to the November 10 elections.

Source: Le Mauricien