Georgetown: Local Government Elections (LGE) is set for March 18, 2016. This was disclosed by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan during a Press Conference Thursday. According to the Minister, this move will be improving the relationship between Local Authorities and Central Government while it will also restore citizens’ trust in the local Government bodies. Bulkan, while noting that the current local government system is rotten and must be made fully functional, said, “The new leaders will not just replace the old ones. The democratically elected officials will be empowered according to law and they will be expected to perform their decision-making roles, according to law. They will not be subjected to domination and control by Central Government…they will have the power to make decisions that affects citizens living within the respective Municipalities and NDC’s”. He added that the LGE will cost more than the hosting of the General and Regional Elections, however all funding have been secured to ensure a smooth process as the investment is absolutely critical.
“These elections are expensive, they are not going to come cheap. It may actually even cost more than our the General and Regional Elections, however, the administration is absolutely convinced that the investment in these elections are essential because it arises out of our unmistakable commitment as to the importance of local government and local democracy, and human development”, Bulkan highlighted.
He further explained that, “At General and Regional Elections, we were actually dealing with ten ballot papers; unique to each region. However, given the constituency representation for LGE and the fact that there are 585 constituencies within the 71 organs, it means then there will be 585 unique ballot papers for each so the logistics relating to the conduct and management of these elections, are more elaborate”.
The polls would not be held countrywide, unlike general elections, but in nine towns and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. For the first time, councilors would be elected for three new towns- Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem.
The already established towns are Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Corriverton and Anna Regina.
GECOM is currently carrying out Claims and Objections to allow for the names of deceased persons to be removed from the voters’ lists and for transfers to be made.
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