Section 12A: Extension of life of Municipal City Council and Municipal

12A. Extension of life of Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, and Village Councils (1) At any time when – (a) there is, or there is likely to be, an epidemic of a communicable disease in Mauritius; and (b) a quarantine period is in force in Mauritius, the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, shall, by Proclamation, extend, from time to time, the life of 6 years of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, or entire Village Councils, by not more than one year at a time, provided that the life of the Councils shall not be extended for more than 2 years. (2) Where, pursuant to subsection (1), the life of 6 years of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, or entire Village Councils, is extended – (a) every member of the Councils, including a District Councillor, other than the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, Mayors and Deputy Mayors, and Chairpersons and Vice-chairpersons of District Councils and Village Councils, shall continue to serve as such until the day preceding nomination day at the next general election of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, and the entire Village Councils, as the case may be; (b) the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, Mayors and Deputy Mayors, and Chairpersons and Vice- chairpersons of District Councils and Village Councils, shall continue to serve as such Acts 2021 23 until their successors are elected after the next general election of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, and the entire Village Councils, as the case may be; and (c) every member of an Executive Committee of a Municipal City Council, Municipal Town Council and District Council shall continue to serve as such until the day preceding nomination day at the next general election of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, and the entire Village Councils, as the case may be. (3) (a) Where, subsequent to subsection (2)(a), a vacancy occurs in the office of a Councillor, other than in the office of a District Councillor, the vacant seat shall be filled in accordance with section 42. (b) Where a vacant seat is filled pursuant to paragraph (a), that person shall hold office until the day preceding nomination day at the next general election of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, and the entire Village Councils, as the case may be. (4) (a) Where, subsequent to subsection (2)(a), a vacancy occurs in the office of a District Councillor, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held within 15 days of the occurrence of the vacancy by the Village Council concerned and conducted in the manner provided in section 13. (b) A District Councillor elected pursuant to paragraph (a) shall hold office until the day preceding nomination day at the next general election of the entire Village Councils. (5) (a) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor, Mayors and Deputy Mayors, and Chairpersons and Vice-chairpersons of District Councils and Village Councils, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held within 15 days of the occurrence of the vacancy and conducted in the manner provided in section 34. 24 Acts 2021 (b) A Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairperson or Vice-chairperson elected pursuant to paragraph (a) shall hold office until his successor is elected after the next general election of the entire Municipal City Cou rs and Deputy Mayors, and Chairpersons and Vice-chairpersons of District Councils and Village Councils, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held within 15 days of the occurrence of the vacancy and conducted in the manner provided in section 34. 24 Acts 2021 (b) A Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairperson or Vice-chairperson elected pursuant to paragraph (a) shall hold office until his successor is elected after the next general election of the entire Municipal City Council and Municipal Town Councils, or entire Village Councils, as the case may be. (6) In this section – “communicable disease” has the same meaning as in the Quarantine Act 2020; “quarantine period” has the same meaning as in the Quarantine Act 2020.