Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stated that Cabinet has approved the process to be adopted to facilitate the elections of Municipal Councillors for Town and City Councils.
Rabuka also says the process includes the establishment of a working group chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Local Government and comprising heads of Central Agencies, CEO’s of Municipal Councils and the Fijian Elections Office.
He adds the working group will formulate recommendations to the Minister for Housing and Local Government on Municipal boundaries, demarcation of wards for each municipality, number of councillors for each Municipal Council, and the necessary amendments to the existing legislation.
The Prime Minister states it will also prepare a detailed action plan for the delivery of a successful Municipal election including legislative amendments, policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures.
He adds the working group will also prepare a budget for elections for the 13 municipal councils and the operational costs for Municipal Councils with elected Councillors.
Rabuka says the Minister for Local Government will then table the action plan back in Cabinet.
He further says the assessment and performance review for Municipal Councils and Chief Executive Officers and Special Administrators will also be undertaken concurrently by the Ministry of Local Government.
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