Support grows for more deferred douzaine elections

Deputy Meerveld said the legislation giving the green light for an election was a ‘rubber stamp’ procedure as the terms for a deferred election were met at the Vale parish meeting last Wednesday, 4 August, when candidate Mary Lowe secured support from seven parishioners to postpone the poll.

‘There were 80 of around a potential of 6,000 voters at the Vale parish meeting. One could argue that there is a limited number of people available to turn up to a douzaine meeting and that a more formal election gives many more Vale parishioners the opportunity to cast their vote,’ Deputy Meerveld said.

The seat for douzenier is being contested between three people – the other two candidates are Nigel Cleal and Ann Setters.

‘If an election is uncontested on the night [of a parish meeting] then, sure, have the election on the night.

‘However, if it is contested then it is quite right that it moves to a proper election,’ Deputy Meerveld said.

Some the parishioners who had attended the Vale douzaine meeting were angry their right to vote was deferred claiming a set-up and decrying the costs involved of staging a full election day.

Douzaine Council chairman Mick Fooks said it was possible to see both sides of the argument.

‘I can understand that people came to the meeting expecting to vote but were denied. However, the desire to hold a deferred election is at the core of our democracy,’ said the Dean of the Castel douzaine.

‘Parishes have dealt with the issue differently over the years.

‘For instance, St Peter Port has always gone for deferred elections whereas Castel has not had a deferred election for some time. It is an encouraging sign that more people are standing for elections.

‘I would expect more people will turn out in the Vale on election day than attended the douzaine meeting.’