STRONGER guidance for States Members’ election campaign tactics should be issued ahead of future polls, the Jersey Electoral Authority has stated, following an investigation into a Constable using the parish database to announce his campaign.
The body which oversees elections in the Island has stopped short of an official reprimand for St Saviour Constable Kevin Lewis after he used the parish website and mailing list to announce his intention to stand for re-election.
But the Constable, who has held the role since 2022 and previously served St Saviour as a Deputy for 17 years, has been warned not to use parish resources as campaign tools.
The electoral authority launched an investigation three weeks ago after a complaint was made about Mr Lewis.
Michael Marett-Crosby, chair of the independent body, said: “The JEA will be recommending that the next Privileges and Procedures Committee ensures that all elected Members are issued guidance reminding them that parish and government resources should not be used for electoral purposes.
“Such guidance is currently issued to ministers and assistant ministers, but we recognise that all sitting Members potentially have an advantage over new candidates and our recommendation will seek to address this.”
Mr Marett-Crosby added that: “In the meantime, the JEA urges all sitting Members to respect the important principle that parish and government resources should not be used for electoral purposes.”
The election authority discussed the matter with the Island’s Information Commissioner, ruling that Mr Lewis’s action did not constitute a data breach, as the recipients of the email were all people opting to subscribe to the parish mailing list.
Suzanne Webb, one of two rival candidates for the role, said: “I’m disappointed, as I believe someone in his position should know how to conduct a campaign, and think he should apologise,” she said. “But I want to put it behind me now and concentrate on the campaign.”
David Curtis, the other rival to the sitting Constable, added: “I was frustrated at how it happened, but I have some sympathy for Kevin’s situation and don’t want to pursue it any further.
“What’s done is done, and my focus over the next month will be on my campaign in St Saviour, rather than what the other candidates are up to.”
Mr Lewis said he had not realised that what he intended to be a short factual announcement about his intention to re-stand had generated an email.
“I didn’t know that it would also mean an email was sent, but I had the web article taken down as soon as I was made aware of the issue,” he said. “I accept responsibility and have apologised, and now I want to get on with the campaign.”
