Parliament approves amendment to hold by-elections twice a year

Parliament has today voted in favour of the amendment proposed by the government to hold by-elections for local councils and women's development committees twice a year with a six month gap.

As the law stands now, a by-election has to be held within 60 days of a seat becoming vacant.

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

In parliament today, 67 members voted in favour of these amendments, with 8 members voting against.

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.

Amendment to hold by-elections twice a year sent to committee

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