Deputies to be asked if island-wide election should be postponed

In a dramatic step, States members will be asked whether they think the elections should be delayed until 21 October this year, or a nuclear option of the 16 June next year.

It means the current crop of deputies could spend an extra 12 months in office before standing for re-election.

The States' Assembly & Constitution Committee (SACC) met this week to discuss the matter, and came to the reluctant conclusion that while it was the 'last thing' they wanted, the circumstances dictated that there was no choice but to postpone.

Various ways of mitigating the risks were discussed to protect the 'bedrock of the island's democratic system', such as increased postal voting and a bigger number of polling stations.

However, even with these mitigation measures it was decided that it would not be possible to hold a free and fair election.

The main obstacle to going ahead with this year's 17 June date was considered to be that candidates would not be able to fully engage with the electorate with the traditional door knocking, canvassing, leaflet distribution and public meetings designed to bring people together.

Another obstacle was the possibility of future advice to the over 70s to stay at home, and this would mean the demographics of people voting would be skewed, and the elderly and those with underlying health conditions would not be properly represented.

There was also the problem of how to maintain social distancing during the process of casting a vote at Beau Sejour or at the various polling stations, and again this issue was thought to be insurmountable.

An international scrutiny team would not be able to come to the island to monitor the new system of island-wide voting.

SAAC agreed that a policy letter will be drawn up quickly, and will go before the States Assembly at a special meeting later this month, so the entire States will make the final decision.

Members of the committee seemed very troubled by the alternative arrangements and a lot of long sighs were emitted during their meeting.

'We are overstaying our welcome' declared Deputy Emilie McSwiggan, and the president of the committee, Deputy Neil Inder, said 'my fear is public expectation'.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq outlined that the counter argument was that the island was part of a crisis and there were 'too many unknowns and even unknown unknowns' to allow for a credible election this June.

Deputy Jennifer Merrett asked whether there was 'community tolerance' for the current batch of politicians for one more year.

She also thought a by-election should at least be held for the current vacant seat, and she raised the 'very difficult' spectre of other possible by-elections.

Another concern expressed during the meeting were the important political decisions which it had been anticipated would have been taken by the newly elected States Assembly.

'What about education?' asked Deputy Inder, and the runway extension was also mentioned.

After the meeting Deputy Inder said that politicians would have to be cognisant of the perception of a democratic deficit and reduced mandate.

'If the States' decision is to postpone the election, we are going to have to limit the amount of new business we deal with, after June, to matters that are strictly urgent.

'We have to be mindful that we were elected on the basis that our term of office would end in June.

'Careful consideration will need to be given to how States' business can be managed in such an extraordinary situation.

One part of the show that will stay on the road is that the electoral roll is still open, and despite the uncertainty, the public are urged to sign up.