JERSEY Democratic Alliance member Deputy Geoff Southern has admitted breaking the law by assisting about 70 elderly, infirm or busy people to complete a postal vote application form in the election and/or delivering their completed forms.

He said that he did so because he believed the law was contrary to the human rights of disabled and infirm people to take part in the voting process.

The Deputy attended police headquarters at 2 pm today and was charged with 20 offences under the Public Election Law, one which carries a maximum fine of £2,000. Fellow Jersey Democratic Alliance candidate Deputy Shona Pitman has been charged with two offences under the same law.

The charges relate to postal votes in the election for Deputies in St Helier No 2 District in November. Both Deputies are due to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning.

• Picture: Jersey Democratic Alliance members Deputies Southern (left) and Pitman (right) – flanking fellow member Deputy Debbie de Sousa – were both to be charged today