The Cabinet has approved a fresh extension for Local Council I and II leaders, as well as Women’s Councils, keeping them in office for up to 180 more days. The move aims to maintain continuity in local governance and ensure services at the grassroots continue uninterrupted.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on December 15, 2025, following the Constitution and the Local Government Act.
The terms of office for these councils originally expired on June 28, 2025, but were first extended for 180 days from June 29, 2025, a period set to end on December 30, 2025.
Under the new approval, council leaders will continue in their roles from December 31, 2025, for up to six more months as preparations for upcoming local elections continue.
Government officials say the extension is crucial to prevent a leadership gap at the village and parish levels, where councils are responsible for service delivery, community mobilization, and resolving local disputes. Women’s Councils, whose terms were also affected, are included in the extension.
While no election dates have been announced, the Cabinet says the extension provides legal backing for councils to operate as arrangements for the next polls are finalized.
The decision comes amid ongoing debates over delays in local elections, with civil society groups previously expressing concern over repeated extensions without a clear election roadmap. The government insists the move is temporary and within the law, promising further guidance soon.
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