THE Minister for Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs, Soroi Eoe, has clarified the legal basis and purpose of administrative measures taken under the District Development Authority Act 2014 when a parliamentary seat becomes vacant.
In a press statement issued this afternoon,the Minister said the Act allows District Development Authorities (DDAs) to continue operating temporarily in districts where the Member of Parliament’s seat is vacant, ensuring government services and financial operations are not disrupted.
According to Eoe, the provisions of the Act are designed to maintain short-term administrative continuity so that essential services, budgets and grant disbursements can proceed without interruption.
However, he emphasized that the law does not give the Executive Government the authority to override court processes or electoral decisions.
“The Act does not empower the Executive to replace judicial resolution of electoral disputes or to convert an unelected acting Chair into a substitute for an elected Member of Parliament,” he said.
Eoe stressed that any acting appointment made under the DDA framework is temporary and limited strictly to administrative functions until the parliamentary seat is filled by a duly elected Member of Parliament.
The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law, constitutional supremacy and the independence of the judiciary, noting that the measures are not intended to interfere with ongoing legal proceedings.
“All actions taken under the DDA Act are intended solely to protect service delivery and financial continuity in affected districts, not to interfere with judicial processes or usurp electoral or parliamentary functions,” he said.
Eoe also encouraged individuals or groups with concerns about the implementation of the Act to raise them through appropriate legal or statutory channels.
He added that any allegations of misconduct, abuse of office or misappropriation involving a District Development Authority should be reported to the Department of Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs for proper investigation.
The clarification comes amid public discussion regarding the role of DDAs in districts where parliamentary representation has been temporarily vacant.