In a significant move affecting local governance, the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has announced the suspension of Village Development Committee (VDC) elections and extended the terms of existing VDCs by three months. The decision, communicated through a formal notice issued by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, aims to facilitate ongoing restructuring of village governance frameworks.

The directive instructs all council secretaries and town clerks to immediately halt any electoral activities related to VDCs within their districts. It emphasizes the need to maintain stability and continuity in local administration during this transitional period, urging authorities to extend the current VDC mandates until new electoral processes are established.

According to the notice, this extension is intended to provide sufficient time for comprehensive reforms aligned with the government’s strategic development goals. The Ministry highlighted that the extension will remain in effect until new elections are conducted, which are expected to take place within the next three months.

The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs reaffirmed its dedication to fostering sustainable communities through effective local governance strategies and reiterated the importance of full compliance with the new directives.