Guernsey will go to the polls on 29 April for the first by-election under the island’s fully island-wide voting system.
38 deputies were elected in June last year, but the States has been operating with just 37 members – and the two Alderney representatives – since July following the arrest and subsequent conviction of Jonathan Le Tocq.
Some deputies yesterday argued that the States has managed without a 38th member for the past seven months and that Guernsey should skip the by-election and save the money it will spend on that and the wages paid to whoever is elected to serve for the next three years.
However, a majority felt that the by-election was essential.
Deputy Sarah Hansmann-Rouxel, who has political responsibility for elections as President of the States Assembly and Constitution Committee, said the costs will be restrained to no more than £75,000.
She also said that voting will be made as easy as possible with every voter able to use any polling station.
24 deputies voted in favour of the by-election being held on 29 April, with deputies Mark Helyar, Neil Inder, Bruno Kay-Mouat, Marc Laine, Munazza Malik, Liam McKenna, Andrew Niles, Jayne Ozanne, Lee Van Katwyk, Simon Vermeulen, and Steve Williams all voting against it.
It was also agreed by a majority that the electoral roll will open in March before closing on 25 April. Anyone who was already on the electoral roll for the 2025 general election will not have to register again.
Applications for postal votes will close on 10 April.
The regulated period for candidates will start on 2 March and end on 29 April.
Just like last year, independent candidates will be able to spend up to £3,000 on their election campaign. Candidates representing political parties will also have an expenditure limit of £3,000 but they will have the option of transferring up to half of that allowance to their party.