Results have been announced for yesterday’s election, the first for the new Divisions recently established for non-residential subjects.
Three of the four Divisions had only a single candidate stand. Turnout in these Divisions was, as expected, accordingly quite low, although voters did have the option to vote for an abstention, which – should the majority of votes be cast for it – cause that specific election to be re-run with new candidates.
However, the three Divisions with a single candidate all saw said candidate win comfortably.
Lord Andrew Creed has been elected for the Britain and Ireland Division, Professor Sir Sanjib Bhattacharya for the Asia Division, and Sir Isaiah Burdette for the New World Division.
Lord Creed received 100% of the vote, and both Professor Bhattacharya and Sir Isaiah received 80%.
Many eyes were on the election for the Europe and Africa Division, which had three candidates standing; a record for a local election.
With a turnout of 68.75% (11 out of 16 eligible voters), Dr Kalin Yanev narrowly won with 5 votes, with his opponents Nitan Kumar and Clemens Schumann receiving 4 and 2 respectively.
The four newly elected Representatives take office today. Although, constitutionally speaking, new elections do not now have to take place for up to five years, the Prime Minister Lord William has stated he would prefer elections to take place much more frequently in Divisions so as to encourage political engagement and ensure democratic mandates.