Document 131 - Amendment to the Act on Elections to Municipal Councils - RJ

Published date: 11.03.2026 |Processed date: 11.03.2026 |Session 10

Publication number: 70/2026

Summary

The bill amends the rules for elections to municipal councils and newly introduces the institution of by-elections. These are to be held in particular in small municipalities if the number of councillors falls below 5 and there are no substitutes, whereby only the missing number of seats is filled, without forfeiting the mandates of the other members. At the same time, the previous rule whereby a drop below 5 members automatically led to new elections is changed - now by-elections are held primarily in such cases. The aim is to prevent purposeful resignations of councillors triggering new elections and to increase the stability of councils, especially in small municipalities.

Topics

Final law

The law introduces and regulates in detail by-elections to municipal councils in addition to the existing new elections. It lays down when by-elections are or are not held, how seats are filled, how candidate lists and substitutes are handled, and what tasks municipal authorities, registration offices and the Ministry of the Interior have. The aim is to ensure that municipal councils can function even if the number of members decreases, without always having to hold a whole new election.

Publication number: 70/2026

Additional documents

Additional document 1

Government Opinion on Print No. 131/0

Processed date: 01.04.2026

The Government discussed a Senate bill amending the Act on Elections to Municipal Councils (No 491/2001 Coll.). After examining the proposal at its meeting on 30 March 2026, it adopted a favourable opinion on it. In doing so, the Government expresses its support for the proposed amendment to the electoral rules in municipalities, including changes related to by-elections to municipal councils.

Laws affected by this document

491/2001

Zákon o volbách do zastupitelstev obcí a o změně některých zákonů