Election observers (FOI)

Request

A

Which department is responsible for appointing outside election observers for the forthcoming May elections?

B

What is the anticipated cost?

C

Where will the observers be recruited from?

D

To whom will they report?

Response

A

Article A69 of the Public Elections (Jersey) Law states that ‘The Privileges and Procedures Committee, after consultation with the Chief Minister, may appoint one or more observers of a public election’. The States Greffe will provide administrative services to the Privileges and Procedures Committee during the process of appointing election observers.

B

The estimated cost for Jersey of appointing election observers for the May election are considered to be in the region of £53,000.

C

The Privileges and Procedures Committee, jointly with the Chief Minister, have agreed to approach the United Kingdom branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to provide observers for the May elections.

D

The election observers are independent, however Article A69 of the Public Elections (Jersey) Law sets out their rights and responsibilities. A copy of the relevant Article A69 is available at the following link:

Public Elections (Amendment No. 8) (Jersey) Law 2017

Further information on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch of Election Observer Missions is available at the link below:

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK