Prime Minister Orders Automatic Leave for Civil Servant Candidates

The Prime Minister has instructed members of the government and walis across the republic to implement administrative measures ensuring civil servants who are candidates for municipal and provincial popular assembly elections are placed on automatic leave throughout the electoral campaign. This directive aims to guarantee equal opportunities among candidates and uphold the principle of administrative neutrality. The instructions were communicated in a letter based on National Independent Election Authority correspondence dated October 28, 2026, concerning the administrative status of candidates for the local elections scheduled for November 28.

Under these directives, the concerned civil servants will retain their salaries during their leave, enabling them to fully dedicate themselves to their electoral activities during the legally specified period. This implementation is in accordance with the provisions of Article 73 of Organic Law No. 21-01 of March 10, 2021, which outlines the electoral system, as amended and supplemented.

Conversely, the Prime Minister's communication emphasized the strict adherence to administrative neutrality. It mandates that civil servant candidates must completely refrain from using state, local government, or public institution resources for their election campaigns. Furthermore, it prohibits any political activity within workplaces or the exploitation of a candidate's position and function for electoral propaganda, as well as influencing voters. This ensures a clear separation between professional responsibilities and electoral activities, thereby preventing the utilization of public capabilities or functional influence in electoral competition.