A PROPOSITION calling for all political movements, collaborations and campaigns fielding candidates in this summer’s election to publish full funding details may not be the right approach to transparency, the Jersey Election Authority has said.
Deputy Rob Ward, who is a member of the Island’s largest political party Reform Jersey, is pushing for legislative changes which would force all groups to formally register as political parties and for key organisational details to be released.
It comes following the launch last year of Value Jersey, which describes itself as a movement with a focus on seeking reductions in the costs of living, doing business and government. Value Jersey it is not a registered political party, but is looking to develop a manifesto ahead of the 2026 election which could potentially be adopted by candidates running for office.
Deputy Ward said it is concerning that political movements are not required to meet the same level of transparency as formal parties.
In official comments responding to the proposition, the Privileges and Procedures Committee, which is responsible for the Elections Law, said its members were “unable to reach a consensus view on this matter”.
However, it asked the Jersey Electoral Authority to provide its thoughts.
They JEA said: “The JEA considers that, when it comes to elections, particularly the funding of electoral campaigns, there should be full transparency. The JEA also considers it vital from a voter’s perspective, that there is full disclosure if a candidate is not standing in a fully independent capacity, but is not certain that this proposal is the right approach.”
It added that “groupings” of States Members have “gravitated towards others who share political views” long before parties began to be formed.
“The current Public Elections (Expenditure and Donations) (Jersey) Law 2014 has
provisions which require full disclosure by candidates, whether they are independents
or party members, of their spending for the elections and there is also a section relating
to third party election expenses which covers expenditure by people who are not
candidates acting independently without the express or implied consent of a candidate
to promote or procure their election or indeed to prejudice the prospects of any
candidate. We are satisfied that the existing Law ensures that everyone is required
to make full declarations about the funding of their campaigns,” the comments paper continued.
“We have considered whether there is any real advantage to a group or collective
deciding not to register as a party, apart from avoiding the associated administrative
burdens. Registered parties are able to include their party’s logo or emblem on a ballot,
making their candidates instantly recognisable to the voting public, whereas candidates
belonging to a ‘group’ do not benefit from this distinction.”
The authority added that the PPC should consider whether they are any gaps – both perceived or otherwise – in the existing election legislation.
Deputy Ward’s proposition is due to be debated by the States Assembly during next week’s sitting.
