Senators formally voted down legislation to end municipal elections yesterday, resolving a “procedural error” that sparked confusion in the Chamber.

The Municipalities Reform Act 2026 went to its third reading in the Upper House, where the Bill was defeated by a vote of six to five, echoing the vote last week.

However, the legislation can be brought back to the House of Assembly next year and passed without the support of the Senate.

The legislation, approved by the House earlier this month, would have the minister select the mayor and eight councillors, with four recommended by a selection committee.

While independent senators and One Bermuda Alliance senators came together in opposition to the Bill after a debate last Wednesday, Joan Dillas-Wright, the Senate President, said at least three senators had objected to the third reading of the Bill.

As a result, the proper procedure under the standing orders would have been to defer the third reading back until the next meeting day rather than proceed to a vote.

Ms Dillas-Wright explained on Monday: “In order to correct the procedural error, we must rescind the third-reading vote on the Bill on March 18 such that minister in charge can now re-put the third-reading motion and Senate can proceed from that point.”

She moved to rescind the third-reading vote of last Wednesday and received no objection.

The third reading went ahead yesterday afternoon, with none of the senators changing their stance on the legislation. As a result, Mrs Dillas-Wright said the Bill had been defeated.

Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Housing and Municipalities, last week acknowledged the Senate’s decision not to support the Bill, which he said was designed to “address longstanding issues”.

He added then that the vote delayed reform but did not remove the need for it.

Mr DeSilva said: “The question is not whether change is required, but how long Bermuda can afford to wait.

“The Government will now determine the next steps to ensure that meaningful municipal reform is still delivered, including further engagement and consideration of the available legislative options.”

Legislation that would turn the corporations into unelected quangos previously passed in the House in 2019, but was rejected by senators.

The Corporation of Hamilton launched a civil case against the Bill but London’s Privy Council dismissed the claim last October.

Charles Gosling, the Mayor of Hamilton, said last week that the City’s fight against the reform, which it considers a takeover, had been “a long and, at times, frustrating process”.

He added then: “It is important to remember that the current municipal framework was established through legislation passed by Government. The corporation operates within that framework; we did not create it.”

Quinell Francis, the Mayor of St George, said later that there was a feeling of disenfranchisement among East End residents, who were expected to keenly watch to see who is appointed to represent their interests in the Olde Towne.