Co-op election uncontested

Friday 19 May 2023

The election of a new board member for the Channel Islands Co-operative Society ended with one candidate being voted into the role unopposed.

There are three directors elected by Members of the CI Co-op resident in Guernsey, with three elected by members resident in Jersey. Their terms of office vary.

There were originally three people based in Jersey standing for election to the Board ahead of this week's AGM, however the Co-op has confirmed to Express that one of the candidates chose to withdraw from the process, and another had to withdraw due to the Society's roles.

A concerned Co-op member and reader told Express that she had voted for one of the two candidates who were then removed from the election process. 

The Chairman of the Board, Jon Bond confirmed that the situation had occurred and explained why. 

Pictured: Jon Bond.

“The society received interest from five members in becoming a Jersey Director. Of the five members, three met the eligibility criteria laid out in our members rules," said Mr Bond.

"It is regrettable that during the election process one member withdrew and another had to be excluded due to the society rules. The remaining candidate was elected unopposed at the meeting (Wednesday) night.

"The Board have committed to members to update our rules and review the eligibility criteria for future elections to ensure as many members as possible are able to actively participate in the democratic process of standing for election to serve as an elected representative of the wider membership.”

The CI Co-op has confirmed that as the sole candidate Michael McNally was re-elected to the board.

As the other two candidates did not continue with the election process there was only one candidate so a vote was not required, meaning any prior votes cast would not have made a difference to the outcome.

Pictured: Michael McNally.

The criteria for standing for election as a Board Member is defined on the Channel Island Co-op's website.

The Member Rules state 13 criteria for eligibility to be a Director, including proof of purchasing goods valued at more than £1,300 from the Co-op during the previous year.

Candidates must also not work for the Co-op, have been dismissed (save for redundancy) from the employment of the Society, or have any interests in any business contacts of the Co-op.

They also cannot be under investigation by the police, have any unspent convictions or have been declared bankrupt.