President ratifies Act on holding by elections twice a year

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has today ratified the Act including the amendments brought by the parliament to hold by-elections for local councils and women's development committees twice a year with a six month gap.

As the law stood before, a by-election had to be held within 60 days of a seat becoming vacant.

Parliament since approved amendments proposed by the government to the Local Council Elections Act and Decentralization Act to hold by-elections twice a year.

With the amendments now brought into effect, by-elections will be held within 183 days.

This amendment says that if a council president or a mayor's position becomes vacant, a by-election has to be held within 14 days. If the position of Council's Deputy President or Deputy Mayor becomes vacant, a by-election has to held within 30 days.

However, if the mayor or Council President's position remains unfilled when the Deputy President or Deputy Mayor's position becomes vacant, then the by-election must be held within 7 days.

If the vacancy of a member's seat prevents the legal quorum for meetings being reached, the amendment says a by-election must be held within 60 days.

Parliament approves amendment to hold by-elections twice a year

The Edition