The Ministry of Local Government has warned aspiring candidates and incumbent leaders ahead of the upcoming Local Council One (LC1) and Local Council Two (LC2) elections, saying the law prohibits holding more than one local council office at a time.
Speaking on the preparations, Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara said the Local Governments Act clearly stipulates that an individual can only hold one Local Council position at a time.
He explained that each village is entitled to only one elected LC1 chairperson, adding that any leader who successfully contests for a higher position must vacate the lower office.
“The law allows one person to hold only one Local Council office. If a leader is elected to a higher Local Council position, they must vacate the lower office in accordance with the Local Governments Act,” Barugahara said.
The minister also urged incumbent Local Council leaders to ensure a smooth and lawful transition once the elections are concluded, noting that they should hand over office to duly elected successors.
He said that although the term of current LC1 and LC2 leaders expired on June 28, 2026, they will continue serving in a caretaker capacity until the electoral process is completed and new leaders assume office.
“Current Local Council leaders should continue serving their communities until the elections are held, after which they are expected to peacefully hand over office to the duly elected leaders,” he said.
Barugahara emphasized the central role of Local Council leaders in grassroots governance, describing them as the first point of contact between citizens and government services.
He said LC leaders play a key role in community mobilisation, dispute resolution, implementation of government programmes and issuance of recommendation letters required for services such as national identity cards and passports.
The ministry said preparations for the elections are on schedule, with LC1 elections set for July 28, 2026, while LC2 parish elections are scheduled for August 10, 2026.
