By DALCY LULUA
PUBLIC servants intending to contest the 2027 National General Election (NGE) have until 29 October 2026 to resign from their positions, according to a new Circular Instruction issued by the Department of Personnel Management (DPM).
In Circular Instruction No. 15 of 2026, issued on 29 June 2026, DPM Secretary Ms Taies Sansan said the directive was intended to inform all public servants and officers employed by the State of the legal requirements for resigning to contest the 2027 election.
“This Circular Instruction intends to inform all Public Servants and all officers and employees of the State and other Public Authorities who wish to contest the 2027 National General Election (NGE) of the requirements of the Public Services (Management) Act 1995 (as amended), which are applicable in all Public Bodies for this purpose, in relation to resignation to contest in the NGE,” Ms Sansan said.
The circular applies to all national department heads, heads of public authorities, constitutional office holders, provincial administrators and all public servants employed under the Public Services (Management) Act 1995 (as amended), including other employees paid by the State.
Ms Sansan also announced that Circular Instruction No. 27 of 2021 has been recalled following the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify the Public Services (Management) (Amendment) Act 2021.
“Further, note that Circular Instruction No. 27 issued on 21st September 2021 is hereby recalled as the Public Services (Management) (Amendment) Act 2021 was nullified by the Supreme Court. Hence, provisions in law prior to this annulled amendment are retained,” she said.
Under Section 55 of the Public Services (Management) Act 1995, public officers wishing to contest the 2027 election must resign six months before the issue of election writs.
The Electoral Commissioner has declared that writs for the 2027 National General Election will be issued on 29 April 2027, making 29 October 2026 the final date for resignations.
“This means public servants intending to contest the 2027 NGE can start giving notices for resignation to their employers as of the notice of this Circular Instruction, up to 29th October 2026,” Ms Sansan stated.
The circular requires officers and employees to submit resignation notices to their respective agency heads, while agency heads must submit theirs to their portfolio ministers, provincial governors or board chairpersons. Copies of all resignation notices must also be forwarded to the Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management.
The DPM further advised that all salary, allowances and other service-related entitlements will cease upon resignation, government property must be returned, and the officer will be removed from the payroll in the next available pay.
The circular also states that officers who are unsuccessful at the election will have no automatic right to return to the Public Service and must apply through the normal recruitment and selection process. Vacant positions may be filled substantively or in an acting capacity during the election period.
Ms Sansan said further circular instructions relating to the release of public servants and police reservists to assist the Electoral Commission, as well as arrangements for public servants to cast their votes, will be issued throughout the election period.
She urged all government agencies to maintain proper records of resignation documentation and ensure copies of all resignation letters are forwarded to the Department of Personnel Management for administrative and record-keeping purposes.