SECTION 488

(1) When the mayor, the president of the regional council, the members of the regional bureau, the members of the regional executives, the chairperson of a council union or any other regional or municipal councillor is convicted of a felonry, his forfeiture shall be automatic. (2) Where he has been convicted of a misdemeanour or where his conduct seriously jeopardizes the interests of the council, city council, region or council union, on the basis of specific facts described as such by the council or assembly and after having been heard or requested by the representative of the State to provide written explanations on the facts alleged against him, he may be dismissed by order of the minister in charge of local authorities. (3) As a safeguard measure, and in urgent cases, the representative of the State may notify the suspected official or councillor, by any means in writing, of the immediate termination of his duties. In this case, the order provided for in sub-section 2 above shall be published within a maximum period of one month from the date of notification.