The Ministry of Local Government has commenced consultations on the structure of municipal councils ahead of the upcoming elections.
These discussions focus on determining the number of councillors for each town and city, as well as the composition of municipal wards.
Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, stated that the consultations are aimed at strengthening local governance and ensuring fair representation.
“The consultations, held in two sessions, provided a platform for robust discussions on fair and equitable representation,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“The first session engaged representatives from the current registered political parties, while the second session, held in the afternoon, included Municipal Councils’ Special Administrators and their respective Acting CEOs.”
Mr Nalumisa said the approach aligns with international electoral standards and ensures that representation is proportionate to population distribution.
Key principles guiding the process include, a fair allocation of councillors based on town and city populations, maintaining existing ward boundaries while striving for balanced representation, ensuring population-to-councillor ratios align with international best practices and considering the incorporation of i-Taukei villages within municipal boundaries to promote inclusive governance.
Mr Nalumisa emphasized that the process is intended to ensure municipal councils reflect the needs of their communities.
“This is about giving every Fijian a voice in shaping the development of their towns and cities.
“This information will be disseminated to the public via flyers and information pamphlets and FAQs, which will provide residents with an opportunity to voice their opinions and participate in determining the number of representatives in their local councils.”
