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STATES OF JERSEY
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COMPOSITION AND ELECTION OF THE STATES ASSEMBLY: PROPOSED REFORM (P.145/2006) – SECOND AMENDMENT (P.145/2006 AMD.(2)) – SECOND AMENDMENT
Lodged au Greffe on 25th April 2007
by Deputy J.A.N. Le Fondré of St. Lawrence
STATES GREFFE
COMPOSITION AND ELECTION OF THE STATES ASSEMBLY: PROPOSED REFORM (P.145/2006) – SECOND AMENDMENT (P.145/2006 AMD.(2)) – SECOND AMENDMENT
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- In amendment (1), in the substituted sub-paragraph (1), for the words –
" a g e n e r al e lection period should be held in 2008, with elections for 8 Senators, and Connétable s, on the date currently fixed for the senatorial elections in that year, with an election for 29 Deputies held shortly thereafter"
su b s t itute the words –
" a s i n g le g e neral election day should be held in 2008, with elections for 8 Senators, Connétable s and 29 Deputies, on the date currently fixed for the Deputy elections in that year"
a n d for the words "a further such general election period" substitute the words "a further such general
election".
- In amendment (1), for the substituted sub-paragraph (2) substitute the following sub-paragraph –
" (2 ) an y person standing for election would only be permitted to stand for one position (out of Senator, Connétable or Deputy ) on the single election day."
- In amendment (3) for the words"2012 general election period" substitute the words"2012 general election".
DEPUTY J.A.N. LE FONDRÉ OF ST. LAWRENCE
REPORT
Whilst I generally support the main principles contained within the proposition brought by Senator Shenton, and the amendments brought by the Privileges and Procedures Committee ("PPC") (specifically a 4 year term and the slight reduction in numbers), I am disappointed as to the decision not to have any election in any one year occurring on the same day.
I phrase it in this manner, given that I have private reservations as to the possible impact of a single general election day every 4 years, but on reflection do recognise the practical difficulties in managing the government of the Island if the composition of 50% of the Assembly were able (in theory) to change every 2 years.
I have taken note of the comments in the amendments brought by PPC which state that "if members are minded to support the concept of one single general election day it would probably have been better to suggest that the 2008 election took place on the day fixed for the Deputies elections, namely Wednesday 26th November 2008". This overcomes certain practical difficulties such as the general budgeting timeline and process for 2008.
Accordingly I have brought this amendment to the proposals submitted by PPC in order to allow members the opportunity of considering the PPC proposals in the context of creating a general election for all positions on a single day.
I have phrased the amendment to be consistent with the wording used by PPC in their own amendment to Senator Shenton's proposition. PPC have noted that they have sought legal advice on the matter, and have stated that in their view it would be totally unworkable to allow one candidate to stand for several offices. I concur with this view, and my amendment to sub-paragraph (2) simply seeks to extend this to the position of Deputy .
I note that certain of the amendments brought by PPC to Senator Shenton's proposition are for specific detailed reasons, and the Committee obviously have the knowledge on this subject to produce a practical recommendation. Accordingly I have tried not to tamper significantly with the rest of their proposal.
Should the specific legal advice being sought (on the matter of only permitting individuals to stand for one position) be unsupportive, I would trust that any practical alternative solution (to achieving the same objective), would be investigated as part of the main proposals. This obviously assumes that the principle of a single general election day is generally supported by the Assembly.
I hope members will support this amendment, which meets what I believe was a quite strongly expressed preference during the recent in-committee' debate, i.e. of generally supporting the objective of a single election day for all members of the Assembly.
Financial and manpower implications
There will be no resource implications additional to those implicit in the proposition and the existing amendments thereto.