Responding to a question from Deputy John Gollop, who asked if consideration had been given to budget and logistics should 119 possible candidates – as was the number standing at the last election in 2020 – submitted manifestos that were all four pages long and thereby ensuring a booklet of almost 500 pages, Deputy Meerveld said Sacc had considered whether to offer candidates two or four pages.
He said a Scrutiny Management Committee review and survey of island- wide voting had found that more than two thirds of respondents wanted more information in the manifesto booklet.
He said his committee was confident the booklet would not favour incumbent deputies despite their ability to potentially write more in their manifesto due to their recent experience.
He added the introduction courses Sacc had been running for potential candidates would give them the ability to utilise additional pages if they wished.
‘Deputy Gollop makes assumptions on the number of candidates and how many pages they will use.’
‘At the end of the day, the electorate will have [the booklet] for a number of weeks, each person will use it as they see fit.
‘I do not see a problem in providing the electorate with more information to make informed choices.’
Deputy Meerveld said he was confident all of the necessary plans were in place to turn around the booklet in time, even if it was 500 pages long.
‘I think it’s beholding on us as an Assembly to facilitate the provision of as much info as possible to enable the electorate to make informed decisions.’
He expected most of the electorate to engage with a booklet of such length, as was indicated in the Scrutiny review of island-wide voting.
‘It would be perverse for respondents to provide such feedback if they were not prepared to engage with a larger booklet.’
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