Le Tocq by-election could cost up to £200,000

The committee in charge of organising a by-election to replace a deputy estimates it could cost up to £200,000.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq pleaded guilty to the creation of thousands of illegal images of children and possessing extreme pornography. The former Chief Minister submitted a resignation letter to Guernsey's Bailiff on Tuesday.

Deputies will vote on a proposal to accept his resignation which, if approved, will trigger a by-election which the States' Assembly & Constitution Committee said it wanted to hold "as soon as practicable".

Committee president Deputy Sarah Hansmann Rouxel said it would be Guernsey's first ever by-election under the island-wide voting system.

"There are many matters that have to be considered before the committee will be in a position to submit anything relating to a by-election to the assembly for approval," she said.

Hansmann Rouxel said the by-election would be "a significant undertaking that will require sufficient time to prepare and deliver".

She said: "As this would be a much smaller electoral event than a full general election, not all of the logistics required for a general election will be necessary for a by election, and, accordingly, the committee anticipates incurring much lower costs.

"Work is underway to estimate the cost of a by-election."

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