Delays in ordering registration materials, which violate the election law, may force the postponement of registration, reports the Center for Public Integrity, CIP in its Bulletin on the process.  

Thus, says CIP, the CNE will soon ask the Council of Ministers to suggest to the Parliament to change the law.

It is worth remembering that municipal elections will be held on October 11, 2023, and the electoral law requires that by April 14, 2023, the CNE announce the number of seats in each municipal assembly.

The census is to begin February 20 and end April 5, leaving 10 days to meet the April 14 deadline.

"Party and citizen lists must be submitted in one complete list containing candidates for all seats plus at least three alternates," reads the CIP Newsletter.

According to the source, the number of registered voters determines the number of seats in the assembly. Without the completion of the registration, parties cannot submit their lists. The source we have been quoting also says that the parties have 60 days, after April 14, to submit their lists of candidates.

The source explains that this seemingly long deadline is necessary because each candidate must present a criminal record certificate, certified copies of the identity card and voter's card, which in small municipalities are slow to obtain.