The political drama that started weeks before the election of Imphal Municipal Corporation is evidently far from over even days after the declaration of results. A scuffle over the venue for the election of Mayor and deputy has ensued which presents every possibility of becoming yet another major political debacle given the increasingly evident display of vindictiveness of the present ruling party as well as the aura of growing strength and invincibility demonstrated by the BJP which is emerging as a strong contender to the seats of power of the state given the support from its parent national party at the helm of affairs at the centre. While the political parties a well as the opinionated public gets embroiled in the melee, the real purpose of the election seem to be the least of the bother for everyone. So what does a councillor do? For starters, Councillors have a number of different roles that must incorporate the interests of the whole municipality and those of their constituents. They play a vital leadership role in creating and implementing their community’s vision, strategic direction and values. While the Local Government Act 1989 doesn’t specify roles for individual councillors, it does state that they must adhere to particular standards of good conduct. It also states that their legal authority as councillors only exists when they are participating, as a member of the council, in a formal council meeting. Significantly, outside of the council meeting individual councillors have no such authority. As part of the council or Corporation as the case may be, councillors guide the development of local policies, set service standards and priorities, and monitor the performance of the organisation. Councillors are accountable to both the community and to their own constituents. As members of council, where the focus is necessarily on governing in the best interests of the entire municipality, councillors are accountable in multiple ways. These include acting in their roles as legislators, policy makers, strategists and financial overseers. They also have to represent their constituents on a wide range of issues. In doing so, Councillors must obey the law, including the principle of natural justice. Councillors must also deal with a range of requests and complaints from their constituents which they need to find ways to deal with, preferably in conjunction with the administration. The public should be aware of the responsibilities and roles of councillors and place strong pressures on them to act in their representative roles – that is, to represent their constituents’ views in the decision-making process. Mediation has its own set of pressures, requirements and responsibilities, as does the administrative role as a member of the Responsible Authority. Councillors must be aware of and are clear about the particular role they are undertaking at any point in time – for the councillors, the administration and the community. The public should also provide feedback, interact and be aware of the activities of the Councillors so that a positive and productive relationship is fostered which can also reduce misunderstandings and frustration for everyone.
