THE Nasinu Town Council is urging residents to begin discussions at ward level as preparations gather pace for the return of municipal elections later this year.
Acting chief executive officer and board chairman Felix Magnus made the call following confirmation by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa that municipal elections would be held in September.
Mr Magnus said community awareness was critical, particularly as it had been more than two decades since the last local government elections was held in 2005.
“We’d like to encourage all the wards of Nasinu to start talking about local government elections,” he said.
“When you look at the last local government elections that was held in 2005, and you think of the people that will be voting in this local government election, these voters have no idea what local government election is all about.
“So, there’s a lot of awareness that needs to be done. There’s a lot of awareness that needs to be carried out in the wards.
“So, we ask the wards to talk among themselves.”
He also urged residents to identify suitable leaders who could represent their respective wards on the council.
“We want the council to be given the full autonomy, so that the people of the township make decisions for their own towns, that they feel is right for their townships.
“We don’t want people from outside the township making decisions for the township, and then the people of the township have to suffer the consequences of bad decision making, which has happened in the past.”
Mr Magnus emphasised that strong participation from wards would ensure elected councillors truly reflect the interests and aspirations of the people of Nasinu, as the township prepares for a new chapter in local governance.
