SECTION 144

(1) Members of the executive of a local authority shall be bound to reside in the local authority's chief town. (2) The obligation of residency shall mean the obligation to effectively reside in the territory of the local authority and the obligation to perform acts relating to the discharge of duties in the services and territory of the local authority. (3) The absence of an executive member from the territory of thelocal authority must be the subject of prior information to: - the Governor of the Region, for members of the regional executive; - the Senior Divisional Officer, for members of the council executive, and, in case of emergency, the Divisional Officer. (4) Where a member of the executive does not reside in the territory of his local authority, the minister in charge of local authorities may, after an unheeded formal notice by the representative of the State, suspend the remuneration of such member. (5) In case of repeated violation of the obligation of residency, the minister in charge of local authorities shall suspend such member of the executive from his duties. After 90 (ninety) days following the suspension, the member of the executive may be dismissed by decree of the President of the Republic.