This Is Guernsey

ELECTION candidates are having a hard time on the streets. But it is not just the public grilling that they are facing – it is finding electors’ houses in the first place.

And even when they have succeeded in that, some have discovered the listed occupants have moved or died. Each candidate is issued with a ‘street walk’ list that should help plot a sensible route for them to follow while out canvassing.

It is compiled by the Home Department but, instead of following postal routes, this year’s first release went in postcode order – but houses with consecutive postcodes can be in different roads. Having received complaints, the department reissued it on Saturday with roads listed alphabetically. But according to some candidates that has not really helped.

‘This has been a total waste of taxpayers’ money. It’s not a walking list, it’s a sham,’ said one.

‘You are there standing in the rain trying to have a look if a house is on the list – it’s a joke.’

The candidate added that in one area, at least 12 houses were not occupied by the people that the list claimed.

Another person on the roll had died a year ago.

A different candidate said they could canvass double the number of people in the roads they were familiar with than those for which they had to rely on the walking list.

‘Once you try to follow the walk order, it’s a nightmare.’

They said that whoever decided to use the postcode order had created a lot of extra work.

‘Candidates who have stood before say that this is making it doubly difficult and it’s hard enough to get around everywhere.’

The person added that the latest list was only slightly more helpful.

Another candidate estimated that up to 3% of people named on the electoral roll did not live where stated.

‘And the list is all over the place, so they issued a new one which is even worse. It arrived on Saturday, but it’s in tiny type. It’s been photocopied so it is not easy to read. If anyone wants to visit every house in the electoral district they will never do it. Some of the people aren’t there and the list doesn’t say where to go.’

A Home Department spokesman said: ‘It is correct that in 2004 the roll was issued in postal route order. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding with Digimap in relation to the production of a roll in this format for the 2008 election and it has therefore not been possible to issue lists to candidates in postal route order on this occasion. However, as a result of representations made and in order to help candidates further, a second list has been issued with roads listed alphabetically.’

Because of the cost of creating a new electoral roll, about £50,000, it was decided to use the 2004 one as a basis and add to it for 2008, he added. ‘Unfortunately, this means that persons on the roll who have moved remain on the roll unless they have submitted an amendment.’