Following a complaint made to the Jersey Electoral Authority (JEA), a letter has been issued to the Comité des Connétables reminding its members that Parish resources should not be used for electoral purposes.
The JEA was contacted by a candidate on 16 April 2026 after it emerged that a fellow candidate had used the Parish of St Saviour’s e-newsletter mailing list and website to announce their intention to stand for the role of Connétable in the upcoming election.
The Parish was contacted and it is understood the material has since been removed from the website.
Following an investigation, and consultation with the Jersey Office of the Information Commission (JOIC), the JEA has dismissed a claim of a data breach as the information was only shared with Islanders who subscribed to the Parish mailing list.
Michael Marett-Crosby, the Chair of the Jersey Electoral Authority, said:
‘The JEA is committed to doing all within its power to ensure that there is a level playing field between all candidates. This is essential if we wish to ensure that our elections are fair and follow best democratic practice.
‘That is why 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 ahead of the next election.
‘Such guidance is currently issued to Ministers and Assistant Minister, but we recognise that all sitting Members potentially have an advantage over new candidates. Our recommendation will seek to address this.
‘In the meantime, the JEA urges that all sitting Members who are standing for election respect the important principle that Parish and Government resources should not be used for electoral purposes.’