Political Activist and Leader of The Independent Party, Mark Benschop, believes that now that the Minister of Communities has announced a date for Local Government Elections, he should also dissolve all of the active councils across the country.

In a statement, Mr. Benschop said that by dissolving the councils, there will be the elimination of any perception that there might be “unfair and illegal campaigning by incumbent city officials, who will no doubt be using taxpayers’ money to have them re-elected, or to have their friends selected”.

Benschop said the Minister of Communities should follow the law to dissolve the councils.

He said that “in the event that some would rush to say that this is impossible for the minister to do, let me remind them of what the law says (Chapter 28:01 — 306, section 5) “Where the Minister dissolves a council under this section, he SHALL, when he deems fit, by order appoint – (a) A day for the election of the councillors and prescribe the term of office of the councillors so elected.”

The Independent Party Leader said that if  there is a move to “replace this outdated and sleeping city council with energetic folks, and visionaries, let’s do it the correct way”.

Benschop has announced that his party will be contesting the local government polls. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan announced recently that local government elections will be held on March 18, 2015.

The announcement has been welcomed by the international community although the main opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party has expressed some concerns about the readiness of the Elections Commission.

Under the PPP’s nearly 23 years in government, Local Government Elections was called once and that was in 1994.

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