Independent Observers May Monitor Next Election

Independent Observers May Be Invited to Oversee Jersey’s 2026 Election

Independent election observers could be invited to monitor Jersey’s next general election, though their recommendations might not necessarily be acted upon, a States Assembly panel has said.

The Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) said it was prepared to support a proposal from St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft to reverse an earlier decision made in April against having observers at the 7 June 2026 poll.

Mr Crowcroft argued that independent monitors would provide an “informed, expert and independent view” of how the election is conducted.

In its response, the PPC confirmed it would back the move if States Members wished to proceed, but noted there was no requirement to implement any advice offered by the observers.

Citing the previous observation mission in 2022, the committee said that “substantive amendments to the election law should be adopted well in advance of the next election and never less than a year before.”

However, it added that the then-Assembly did not act on that recommendation — and warned that future assemblies might take a similar approach in 2026.