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Last Updated:  Friday, 28 February, 2003, 10:41 GMT
'Islanders need to use vote'
Ballot Box
A Jersey Constable has said making it compulsory for islanders to vote would increase turnout but could be hard to enforce.

Constable Geoffrey Fisher's comments come in a week where only 26% of the island's electorate voted in a senatorial by-election.

Ted Vibert was made Senator-elect after the by-election, where he narrowly beat second placed candidate Alastair Layzell by 271 votes.

Constable Fisher said more islanders need to use their vote.

Voting fines

Mr Fisher himself was elected in St Lawrence last month after a voter turnout of 40%.

He said: "Compulsory voting is a feasible theory but the cost and time involved in enforcing it could make it unfavourable."

It is illegal not to vote in more than 30 countries around the world.

Australia is one example. It has been law to vote since 1924 and people who do not go to the polls are fined.

St Martin Constable John Germain said it was not something the Comite des Connetables has discussed in the past.


SEE ALSO:
Vibert wins by-election
27 Feb 03 |  Europe
Jersey election starts
26 Feb 03 |  Europe


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