In May 2025 Municipal elections are due to be held in accordance with section 9 of the Municipalities Act 1923 (as amended) in both the City of Hamilton and the Town of St. George’s.
The Act says “In 2023, and in every second calendar year thereafter, an ordinary municipal election shall be held for the election of the Mayor and eight Councillors of each Corporation.” This is to include “…a mayoral election, business ratepayers’ election and municipal residents’ election.”
With that in mind, clarity is required from the Bermuda Government on its intent. Is the Government waiting for the outcome of the Privy Council judgment in the hopes that it is successful in wiping out the Corporations as we know them and replacing them with unelected Government appointees prior to May 2025? If a judgment does not come within the next few weeks, preparations will need to be made for municipal elections to fulfill the requirements under the Act.
Voters, those desirous of standing for election and current elected officials deserve to know. Will elections be held in May 2025 or not, or will the elected Corporations be lost forever?
To be clear, the OBA does not support the Government’s ultimate desire to take over the Corporations and hopes that the Privy Council judgment will go in the Corporations’ favour. In the event it does not, we hope that the Government will be brave enough to reverse its clear intent for ultimate control.
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.