Parliament Approves Twice-Yearly By-Elections Amendment

Parliament has approved an amendment proposed by the government to hold by-elections for local councils and women’s development committees twice a year, with a six-month interval.

Under the current law, a by-election must be held within 60 days of a seat becoming vacant. The government proposed amendments to the Local Council Elections Act and the Decentralization Act to establish a biannual schedule for by-elections.

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In today’s parliamentary session, 67 members voted in favour of the amendments, while 8 members voted against them.

With the amendments now in effect, by-elections will be held within 183 days. The new law stipulates that if a council president’s or mayor’s position becomes vacant, a by-election must be held within 14 days. For the positions of Council’s Deputy President or Deputy Mayor, a by-election must be held within 30 days. 

Additionally, if both the mayor or Council President’s position and the Deputy President or Deputy Mayor’s position are vacant simultaneously, a by-election must be held within 7 days.

Furthermore, if a vacant member’s seat prevents the legal quorum for meetings, a by-election must be held within 60 days, according to the amendment.