Thursday 19 April 2012

70.5% Turnout!! Guernsey put us to shame.

So what is the problem with the Jersey political system that in a district like No 1 St Helier around 60% of registered electors do not vote? How can there be such a vast difference from Guernsey with this morning’s general election turnout of 70.50%? One district, The West, achieved an amazing figure of 76%.

Guernsey is contemplating a return to some form of island wide election, but the results with 7 districts electing around six candidates each, seems to have the electorate engaged.

It’s interesting that Senator Bailhache's electoral commission has sought to exclude the issue of voter turnout from its remit. The disparity between Jersey and Guernsey is such an embarrassment for the defenders of the status quo, let alone the "lets have a States made up of Constables and a few others" brigade.