'Trojan' fear over election plan

By Martina Purdy
Political correspondent

The Northern Ireland Office has been accused of damaging democracy over its proposed changes to electoral law.

The Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has hit out at proposals to replace MEPs should they die or resign while in office.

At present this would spark a by-election, in contrast to other European regions where a list system operates.

The list is published at the time of the poll and names a successor should the job become vacant.

Under the NIO's proposals, the nominating officer from the MEP's party would simply name a replacement.

The proposal is contained in a consultation document entitled 'Improving the Administration of Elections in the Northern Ireland Assembly'.

Mr Allister accused the NIO of trying to bypass the electorate.

He said this could enable a party such as the DUP to field a high-profile candidate for Europe and then subsequently replace the MEP with a less well-known individual.

'Cabal'

He said the proposal was "radical and dangerous".

He added that it could lead to "trojan" candidates and could bring the political process into disrepute.

"It is the electorate not a cabal who should elect," he said.

Consultation on the issue closed on October 8.

The document also proposes that the current system for replacing MLAs, should they die or resign while in office, should be altered.

At present, a list of substitutes is filed at the time of the election and the secretary of state can appoint to the assembly from this list.

But amid difficulties getting substitutes to take the post, it is now being proposed that a party's nominating officer decide the replacement.

Other proposed changes relate to issues such as deposits for candidates and the role of polling agents.