Candidacy opens for LGA board elections

The Local Government Authority (LGA) is set to hold elections on August 8 to elect representatives from councils and women’s development committees to the authority’s board.

The LGA announced on Sunday that it will be electing three members to its board; one councilor from city councils, one councilor from island councils, and one representative among presidents of WDCs.

Candidacy is open until 12:00 pm Thursday, July 16.

LGA has asked interested candidates to submit their candidacy forms and other relevant documents via email or in person to the LGA’s office.

The final results of the elections will be announced August 11.

The Decentralization Act states that the LGA’s board must be composed of nine members. In addition to three members elected from city councils, island councils and WDCs, the board also has a CEO appointed by the President, a cabinet minister appointed by the President, a Finance Ministry official appointed by the finance minister, a female member with experience in the field of gender equality, a member with experience in the field of governance or public administration, and a representative from civil groups.

The LGA is mandated with regulating, overseeing and developing the local governance system. It has the authority to penalize councilors for various infractions, including for abuse of power, derelict of duty or engaging in illegal acts.