Court throws out election complaint

Thursday 20 November 2014

General Election 2014 is definitely over - they'll be no re-run in St Helier, after the Royal Court decided to let the result stand.

It had been challenged by two of the failed candidates, on the basis that Deputy Scott Wickenden, who was successfully elected in third spot, had been nominated by someone who didn't live in the right district, which is against electoral rules. Former Deputy Nick Le Cornu, and serial candidate Gino Risoli, wanted the election to be re-run.

But Commissioner Julian Clyde-Smith, sitting with the senior Jurat Jill Clapham, and Geoffrey Fisher today ruled that the mistake wasn't serious enough to affect the outcome of the election. 

Speaking moments after he heard the news, Deputy Wickenden said:

"I'm relieved this has now come to a conclusion. I fully believe in the legal system, if you have a grievance you should bring it before the Court, and I'm now just looking forward to getting on with the job. I'm humbled by the support of parishioners in St Helier."

The Deputy has been asked to be the Vice-chair of the Public Accounts Committee, as well as sitting on the Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, the Police Authority, and assisting Senator Philip Ozouf with his newly-created remit overseeing Finance, Digital, Innovation and Competition. 

On election day in October, Deputy Wickenden polled 476 votes, coming in the final place of the three successful Deputy candidates, behind newcomer Russell Labey (811 votes) and sitting Deputy Judy Martin (946 votes). 

Mr Le Cornu commented:

"Election results are more than just private disputes, they are of significant public importance. It has rightly been stated that '...the right to vote would be merely abstract if the right to sue to enforce it was not guaranteed in law.'

"The mistakes made in the conduct of the election in District No.1 St Helier should be a reminder, to candidates and those who administer elections, of the need for rigor, not only in the nomination process but also throughout the election."

The full, and now final, result in the election was:

Kerrigan, Shannen – 355

Labey, Russell – 811 (elected)

Le Cornu, Nick – 311

Martin, Judy – 946 (elected)

Risoli, Gino – 192

Wickenden, Scott – 476 (elected)