Updated info for candidates available soon

Monday 29 June 2020

Information for candidates in the 2020 general election will be made available as soon as the States agree to a revised election date.

The States Assembly & Constitution Committee has proposed holding the postponed island-wide election on 7 October.

The committee's policy letter also covered off details around polling stations, postal voting and the rescheduled closure of the electoral roll. 

Other information, particularly that which election candidates will need, is yet to be supplied.

"A candidate information pack has been well progressed and will be ready to be updated and published as soon as the revised Election date is known," the Committee said. "This pack will give full details to prospective candidates on the process of standing for election including details of what will be needed, the deadlines and specifications for inclusion on the website and in the candidate manifesto booklet.

Guess you didnt get the email inviteto join the potential new group ‘Coalition of Independents’ (whatever that means) ... there’s independents and independents apparently- make of that as you will ???????????? https://t.co/5Uq9HKVmOs

— Deputy Mary Lowe (@DeputyMaryLowe) June 25, 2020

Pictured: Having a date in the diary for the upcoming election is already inspiring more conversations about nascent political groups. 

"Phase 5 guidelines mean that a ‘meet the candidate’ event is once again feasible although the specifics of this, date and venue, will need to be determined once the election date is confirmed."

"It is important to reiterate that the States has previously agreed that a candidate manifesto booklet containing a maximum of two sides of A4 sized paper per candidate would be produced by the States of Guernsey and delivered to all homes on the Electoral Roll."

The Election website is also expected to contain, individual pages for each candidate, a short video clip of each candidate and answers from candidates to public questions. 

For the planned June election, the States had agreed that the nomination period would run from Tuesday 12 until Friday 15 May, just over a month before the scheduled election.

A similar timeframe for an election on 7 October would place the nomination period at the beginning of September.

Pictured: Traditional arish polling stations such as the Castel Douzaine room are expected to open on 6 and 7 October for voting. 

Sacc has also been advised of the implications that the island moving back into an earlier stage of the exit strategy would have on the rescheduled election.

"It will be possible for voters and candidates to effectively participate in an election in phases 5 and 6," the Committee said. "Whilst public gatherings would be somewhat limited under phase 4, candidates could adapt approaches to ensure this does not unduly hinder their canvassing. 

"Physical canvassing and engagement by candidates and the election team with voters would be hindered if the Island found itself in Phases 1 to 3 during the election period. The extent of this hindrance would depend on the timing and length of any such phase.

"However, it is important to acknowledge this risk is likely present until the point a vaccine is available. It is difficult to state with certainty whether the risk is higher in 2020 or 2021."