A working group chaired by the permanent secretary of the Local Government Ministry will be established to facilitate the election of municipal councillors for town and city councils.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told a news conference yesterday that the working group would consist of heads of central agencies, the CEOs of municipal councils and the Fijian Elections Office.
“The working group will formulate recommendations to the Minister for Housing and Local Government on municipal boundaries, the demarcation of wards for each municipality, the number of councillors for each municipal council, and the necessary amendments to existing legislation,” Mr Rabuka said.
“It will also prepare a detailed action plan for the delivery of a successful municipal elections, including legislative amendments, policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures.”
He said the working group would also prepare a budget for elections for the 13 municipal councils and the operational costs for municipal councils with the elected councillors.
“The Minister for Local Government will then table the action plan to Cabinet.
“The assessment and performance review for municipal council chief executive officers and special administrators will also be undertaken concurrently by the Ministry of Local Government.”
