‘Out of order’ to remove voting right in Assembly

He alleges that Richard McMahon prevented him from taking part in a vote at this week’s States meeting and slammed his actions as ‘out of order’.

Deputy Inder has written to States’ Assembly & Constitution Committee president Carl Meerveld asking him to look into the matter.

‘If indeed there is a formal complaint procedure regarding the actions of the Presiding Officer [Mr McMahon], consider this lodged,’ said Deputy Inder in his email to the Sacc president, which he copied to all States members.

Deputy Meerveld said he would put Deputy Inder’s complaint on his committee’s agenda ahead of its next meeting.

Mr McMahon declined to comment on the matter yesterday.

• Podcast: James Falla and Simon De La Rue round-up this week's meeting on our 'Shorthand States' podcast

Deputy Inder was twice locked out of his computer when the States met at the Royal Court on Wednesday. On one occasion, he was locked out while States members were voting using the Assembly’s electronic system.

After alerting Mr McMahon and colleagues to the problem, Deputy Inder left the Royal Court. He returned to the room soon after and was angered to find that voting had been closed and he was unable to cast his vote.

‘The Presiding Officer, having had it explained to him that wifi and connection [problems] existed, removed my voting right as a member of this Assembly,’ said Deputy Inder in his email to Deputy Meerveld.

‘You’ll remember I explained to the Presiding Officer that I’d been locked out. I’m shocked after explaining to the Presiding Officer that I was having problems and I expected to be able to vote on the matter. When I returned, the voting had closed.

‘I expect a considered response from your committee. That is entirely out of order.’

The vote which Deputy Inder missed was on an amendment proposed by Deputy John Dyke to a draft law relating to new anti-discrimination legislation. The amendment lost by 15 votes to 18.

Deputy Meerveld said the connection problems had affected several deputies, but had nothing to do with the electronic voting system.

‘The problem was with Agilysys’ support of the wifi network and was not anything to do with the simultaneous electronic voting system itself,’ he said.

‘We have had over 500 separate votes using the system and not a single deputy has ever complained that their vote has been missed or misrepresented.

‘The committee is very pleased with the performance of the system. It is doing a fantastic job.’