Public servants resignation deadline over: Sansan

THE deadline for public servants to give a month’s notice to resign and contest next year’s general election lapsed yesterday, according to Department of Personnel Management secretary Taies Sansan.
“The Electoral Commission has declared that the writs for the 2022 general election will be issued on April 28, 2022, and six months prior to the issue of writs (falls on) Oct 28, 2021,” Sansan said in a directive. “Therefore, all aspiring candidates shall tender their notice of resignation to take effect no later than Oct 28, 2021.
“They must give one month’s notice no later than Sept 28.”
Sansan said all aspiring candidates should have submitted their resignation notice by yesterday.
“Applications for re-entry into the public service shall be after five years (of the election) and will only be authorised by the secretary of the Department of Personnel Management, or in the case of other state services and authorities, by their agency heads in consultation with the secretary, and Department of Personnel Management.”
She issued the directive after Parliament last month made amendments to the Public Services Management Act of 1995.
Sansan said the amendments required that the re-entry of unsuccessful candidates into the public service would only be possible after a five-year period through the normal recruitment and selection process.
For the 2027 general election, public servants who intend to contest will be required to resign one year before the issue of writs.