Guernsey Press

Referendum cost too high – Dame Mary

CHEAPER options can be found for the island-wide voting referendum, it has been declared, as one of the island's most prominent business leaders, Specsavers founder Dame Mary Perkins, joined those critical of the potential £400,000 price-tag.

Published

But politicians have offered assurances that the original estimate would be cut significantly.

Many islanders celebrated the step towards electoral reform. Some said they would vote for the first time if full island-wide choice was given to them.

But Dame Mary was among those who was concerned at the possible huge spend on a referendum.

She said there must be a cheaper way, such as posting voting slips to islanders.

'It can't possibly cost that much money.'

Another prominent islander, Rupert Dorey, believed e-voting should be considered for Guernsey's first referendum.

'If you are doing an electronic census, I don't know why you cannot go down the e-vote type route,' he said.

The States Assembly and Constitution Committee will have to report back on the method for the referendum and island-wide voting.

Its chairman, Matt Fallaize, was behind the amendment that ensures a referendum is held before island-wide voting is introduced, possibly in 2020.

Deputy Fallaize said that the cost would be significantly less than suggested if the existing electoral roll was used.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.