By-election date proposed after ex-deputy jailed

A date for the by-election to fill the seat vacated by a former chief minister after his imprisonment has been put forward.

Jonathan Le Tocq was sentenced to nine years in jail in January at Guernsey's Royal Court after he pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including creating more than 2,400 indecent images of children.

The States' Assembly & Constitution Committee (SACC) said a vote to replace the 61-year-old would be held on 29 April if the assembly agreed to the plan when it met at the end of February.

SACC's proposal said islanders who registered for last year's general election would not have to re-register for the by-election, which has a predicted to cost £75,000.

The proposal from SACC added the electoral roll would close on 25 April with a deadline for postal votes on 10 April.

It said Beau Sejour would be used as the polling station, with two others to be identified following discussions with parishes.

SACC President Sarah Hansmann Rouxel said it would be the first by-election under the island-wide voting system and the committee was keen to ensure the voting experience remained the same as the two previous general elections.

"Our committee has sought to develop proposals for the by-election that are efficient, proportionately and keep costs to a minimum while ensuring a fair process for candidates," she added.

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