Council of Rotuma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Chair | Tarterani Rigamoto |
| Seats | 7 elected members 7 traditional chiefs 3 advisory members |
| Meeting place | |
| "Tariạgsạu", ʻAhạu,Ituʻtiʻu District | |
TheCouncil of Rotuma is amunicipal body on the island ofRotuma, aFijian dependency. Owing to the unique character of Rotuma, the powers of this council are greater than those of other municipal bodies in Fiji and in some ways it approximates a legislative body, though it is in every way subordinate to theParliament of Fiji.
The Council consists of fourteen full members and three advisory members. Each of Rotuma's seven districts elects one representative to the council; the traditional chief of each district is also a Council memberex officio. The advisory members, who have speaking rights but not voting rights, are thedistrict officer, the most seniormedical officer, and the most senioragricultural officer, all of whom serveex officio.
The seven chiefs are chosen according to traditional custom. The election is usually for life, although the Fijiancabinet minister responsible for Rotuma may, at his or her own discretion, dismiss a chief and order the election of a new one.
The seven elected representatives are elected for three year terms by residentRotuman Islanders aged 21 and over. Candidacy is restricted to persons who are eligible to vote.
The full members of the Council elect a chairman from among themselves. In addition to his vote as a member of the council, the chairman has acasting vote in the event of a tie. The present chairman is GagajTaimanav Taukave.[1]
The council is required to meet at least once every three months. The chairman and nine other members constitute aquorum to do business. Special meetings may be called by the chairman, on his own initiative or that of eight members of the council.
The council has the following powers and responsibilities:
In addition, the Council historically has also had two other important responsibilities, which were effectively terminated by themilitary coup of 2006 and the subsequent promulgation of the2013 Constitution:
