The Commonwealth Local Government Forum has urged the interim government in Fiji to reconsider its decision not to extend the term of all elected councilors past 31st January 2009 and to prohibit further council meetings, without any arrangements in place of new elections.

It is the view of the CLGF that the decision contravenes the Commonwealth Principles on Good Practice for Local Democracy and Good Governance which has a fundamental principle on the ability to elect local representatives in conditions of political freedom.

Speaking from New Zealand, CLGF Chairperson Basil Morrison said local government councilors in Fiji were democratically elected by the people who gave them a mandate to serve their communities.

He said the ability of citizens to elect their local representatives is a condition of political freedom and is enshrined in the Commonwealth principles.

Morrison said they strongly regret the unilateral decision of the interim government to abandon these elected structures as from 31st of next month.

Implementation of the recent review and reform of local government in which CLGF participated will be significantly enhanced if carried out in an environment of elected government.