ST Brelade is set to hold a contested election to determine the parish’s next Constable.
Current incumbent Mike Jackson has confirmed that he will seek re-election to the role he has held for the past eight years.
The news comes after former Constable Steve Pallett announced his candidacy for the 7 June poll, setting up a repeat of a contest for the same position 15 years ago.
In October 2011 Mr Pallett defeated Mr Jackson, who had served for six years in his first stint in the role by that point, polling 1,999 votes to his rival’s 1,665.
Mr Jackson said: “I feel I definitely have another term left in me – I enjoy the role and the range of ways in which I support the community and I hope parishioners will support me in returning as their Constable.
“I’ve always sought to keep the parish estate in order, and to vote in accordance with the views expressed to me by people in St Brelade.”
Among the projects which Mr Jackson said he hoped to see through to completion was the children’s play area at the Elephant Park.
Having served as Assistant Environment Minister for the past two years, Mr Jackson said he felt such a role complemented his work as Constable.
“It’s not as onerous as being a minister and it’s something I would consider doing again, if I am re-elected and the new government wanted me,” he said. “In terms of the environment I am quite ‘green’ in my outlook – once you build on a green-field site, you’ll never get it back.”
In addition to his parish responsibilities and assistant ministerial role, Mr Jackson has served during the current political term as a member of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie and on the executive committee of the Jersey branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as well as being chair of the Constables Committee for the past three years.
The current Constable said he welcomed the prospect of a contested election.
“I’m not surprised to get confirmation that Steve is standing,” he said. “I think it’s great for democracy to have multiple people putting themselves forward and I’ll be giving it a real go when it comes to the campaign.”
