January 2022
Women and Media Collective (WMC) as an organization that has worked towards increasing political participation and continues to engage in advocating for electoral reform and the greater exercise of democratic rights, believe that it is the duty of the public to question the Gazette (No. 2262-08 dated 10.01.2022) issued on the postponement of Local Government (LG) Elections by a year.
WMC is concerned about the decision to postpone the LG Elections as it is a violation of the sovereign right of the people to exercise franchise. Most importantly this is a disturbing trend given the continued non holding of the Provincial Council elections. Many Local Government bodies have not been able to function properly where many of them have not been able to get their budgets passed, Chairmen have resigned, chairs removed, and women local councilors being treated abhorrently. It is in this context that the election is being postponed.
The Minister is empowered to postpone elections for a year for any reasonable cause. The Government however has not provided any reasoning for this decision. We are therefore left to infer that the Government fears the mandate of the people. The postponement thereby is a blatant suppression of any decision in the hands of the people.
We therefore call on the Government to recall this Gazette and hold Local Government Elections within its stipulated time.