As the shortage of local assembly members becomes an issue, a review committee of the National Association of Town and Village Assembly Chairmen made up of experts has predicted that there is a possibility that more than one-third of town and village assembly elections will not vote in the future. We have compiled a report that points out the need for a wide range of countermeasures.
The report was submitted on the 8th by the chairman of the study committee to Takaki Watanabe, chairman of the Hokkaido Atsuma Town Assembly, who also serves as the chairman of the National Association of Town and Village Assembly Chairmen.
According to the report, the number of non-voters in town and village assembly elections across the country was 204 in the four years up to April 2019, while the number had increased to 254 in the four years up to April last year. It points out that if the number continues to increase at this pace, there is a possibility that the number will increase to more than one-third, to 316, in the four years until April 2027.
Factors contributing to the shortage of candidates include lower remuneration for members than members of prefectural assemblies, and the fact that elderly male members make up the majority of members of the assembly, making it difficult for women and young people to run for office. etc. are listed.
After that, he says that a wide range of measures should be taken, and if there is no vote, it is necessary to set up a verification organization in the parliament, take anti-harassment measures to increase the number of female members, and establish childcare facilities and nursing rooms. I am.
The government is also requesting financial support for Congress to take countermeasures.
The National Association of Town and Village Assembly Chairmen will send a report to parliaments across the country, and will also make requests to the national government.