Composition of local government authorities

(1) Local government authorities shall consist of local councillors who shall be elected by free, secret and equal suffrage by the registered voters in the area over which that local government authority is to have jurisdiction and the election shall be organized, conducted and supervised by the Electoral Commission. (2) The offices of local government shall include mayors in cities and municipalities and local councillors in all areas and they shall have such functions, powers and responsibilities as shall be laid down by an Act of Parliament. (3) There shall be, in respect of each local government authority, such administrative personnel, subordinate to local councillors, as shall be required to execute and administer the lawful resolutions and policies of those councillors. (4) There shall be a Local Government Service Commission, the composition, functions, powers and procedures of which shall be provided for by an Act of Parliament. (5) Local government elections shall take place concurrently with general elections for members of the National Assembly as prescribed under section 67 (1), and local government authorities shall stand dissolved on the 23rd day of April in the fifth year after their election. Provided that in the case of local councillors elected on 21st day of May, 2019, the local councillors so elected shall hold office until the 23rd day of April, 2025. [subsection (5) amended by section 8(a) and 8(b) of Act 13 of 2020 ] [13 of 2001; 8 of 2010; 25 of 2012] [6 of 1995; 1 of 1997; 13 of 2001; 8 of 2010]