Premila Kumar

The Local Government Ministry acknowledges that Municipal Councils are evolving but there is a need to review governance structure.

Minister responsible, Premila Kumar says the ministry will be working on different and effective governance structure that aims to give better returns to ratepayers.

Premila says that not many ratepayers participate in Municipal Council elections.

She says there is lack of clarity as to who can vote in a municipal election and this was challenged in court as well.

“In 2002, 37 percent of the population voted at the Municipal Council elections and in 2005, only 31 percent of the population voted. These numbers speak for itself and one can see the level of participation by rate payers.”

The Minister further reiterates that during the time of the Councillors, the number of ratepayers who were in rate arrears were much higher compared to now.

She adds statistics show that under special administrators – municipal councils have been able to reduce the number of defaulters from 42 percent to 25 percent.

The Minister says this reduction came about because of non-interference and favouritism.