Article 77 provides that the mayor of the commune or municipality is the candidate who receives a majority of the valid votes cast. Members of municipal and commune councils are elected on the basis of a proportional representation system that requires political parties and coalitions to submit candidate lists.[36] However, Article 77 does provide that independent candidates may stand in elections to the organs of local government and addresses the manner of allocation of mandates when an independent candidate obtains the necessary quota of votes.
