Public consultation now required when forming electoral constituencies of cities

A new regulation on forming council constituencies was published on Monday, requiring the Elections Commission (EC) to consult with residents of cities when forming their electoral constituencies.

The regulation states that the electoral constituencies of cities must be formed in a way that ensures equality in terms of population among all constituencies.

It adds that the electoral constituencies must be formed in a way that does disrupt the order and unity of the city. In this regard, the regulation states if over one electoral constituency is established for a single ward of the city, separate electoral constituencies must be established for remaining wards as well.

The regulation also requires EC to establish a system in order to consult residents of a city when forming electoral constituencies of the respective city.

Meanwhile, the regulation designates each island as a single electoral constituency.

The regulation further requires both city and island councils to determine the registered population of their respective city or island and submit this information to the EC three to five months prior to a council election.

Apart from this, the regulation also sets forth how electoral constituencies may be added to cities. In this regard, constituencies of cities will be determined after excluding the mayoral seat, based on the city’s total registered population.

An electoral constituency formed in this trajectory shall not exceed or fall below 25 percent of the registered population.

Notably, the regulation also specifies how to determine constituencies and seats for female councilors in council elections.

The next local council and Women’s Develop Committee (WDC) election is scheduled for April 4, 2025.