GOVERNMENT has directed local authorities countrywide to defer elections for mayors and council chairpersons until after the Presidential election to be held on October 30.
“This is to inform you all that the elections of mayors, deputy mayors, council chairpersons and vice chairpersons shall be held after the Presidential elections,” he said.
Mr Ngo advised chief officers to inform all councillors about the postponement of the mayoral and chairpersons’ elections.
The circular is copied to all provincial permanent secretaries and Provincial local government officers.
The circular states that the new election dates for the mayors, chairpersons and their deputies would be communicated later.
And Kitwe town clerk Ali Simwinga welcomed the postponement of the elections for civic leaders.
Mr Simwinga said this would enable election officers to focus on the Presidential election.
“I received a circular from Local Government and Housing permanent secretary Joel Ngo instructing all councils countrywide to put off the mayoral elections until we conduct the Presidential election.
Personally, I think the development is timely and welcome,” he said.
Mr Simwinga said it was better for the country to focus attention on the forthcoming Presidential election before embarking on the mayoral elections.
“The issue is that the same people who are supposed to organise the installations of mayors, and other things, are the ones who are also conducting the Presidential election. It is therefore important that we pay attention to the Presidential election,” he said.
Mr Simwinga said the decision by the government to put off the mayoral elections would enable election officers to be focused on one important event.
Elections for mayors and chairpersons for councils were supposed to be held within this month.
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