St Peter Port voter apathy 'builds case' for change

Voter apathy means there is a more pressing need for island-wide voting in Guernsey, according to the dean of the St Peter Port douzaine.

The two electoral districts that make up the parish are home to 6,902 of the island's 29,745 registered voters.

John Roper said he was disappointed that only 200 electors attended the hustings for the south district and 300 were at those for the north.

"The numbers are low because there's so much apathy about politics," he said.

Mr Roper told BBC Guernsey: "We were disappointed both nights. There is a building case for island-wide voting."

The island is separated into seven districts for the general election on 18 April, with either six or seven seats available in each.

In total, 78 candidates are standing, of whom 45 will be successful.

Electors are restricted to choosing between candidates in their own district.

Several attempts have been made to give voters a wider choice but no solution has been found that has found favour with States members.

The most recent proposals were defeated by 29 votes to 14 in February, 2011.

Deputies argued the suggested models were unworkable and would undermine the links between politicians and their parishioners.
(from BBC)