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Weekly Penguin News Update

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The next 19 days will determine the winners and losers in the Falklands General Election—and the path of the government for the next four years.

Half the population to decide our future

A little over half of the population is entitled to vote. A total of 1,584 people were registered on the electoral roll when it was updated yesterday: 1,322 for Stanley and 262 for Camp.

After nominations closed last night, 18 of those were confirmed as candidates for the eight positions in the Legislative Assembly—five representing Stanley and three representing Camp. Two councillors have stood down: Richard Cockwell for Stanley and Mike Rendell for Camp. The remaining six are standing again.

Election Day is Thursday November 5, and the count will take place in the Town Hall, Stanley, immediately after the final booths close at 6pm. The Penguin News will be providing more in-depth coverage of this election than it has in previous polls.

In addition to publishing a manifesto article, we will be asking prospective councillors to respond to three key questions:

• Health and education: how would you deliver smarter outcomes?
• Camp and Stanley: what is required to achieve a better balance?
• Elevating issues: what areas of Falklands life deserve more attention?

All articles, including the manifesto, will be up to 200 words. Letters were last night sent to candidates outlining deadlines and other requirements. Their responses will be published in the Penguin News on October 23 and October 30.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to attend a press conference with candidates at the Town Hall on Monday October 26, and a public meeting on Tuesday November 3. FIRS is hoping to broadcast both the next day. The Chamber of Commerce will also be inviting candidates to two meetings for Chamber members, which they hope to televise on KTV.

Deputy returning officer John Rowland said full details of how and where to vote would be advertised in the Penguin News over the next two weeks.

Election line-up

Stanley:

• Norman Besley-Clark: Proposed Andrew Pollard, Seconded Gordon Peck
• John Birmingham: Proposed Frances Biggs, Seconded Patrick Short
• Janet Lynda Cheek: Proposed Shirley Hirtle, Seconded Sheila Stewart
• Andrea Patricia Clausen: Proposed Derek Howatt, Seconded S Prindle-Middleton
• Jacqueline Ann Cotter: Proposed Tony Blake, Seconded F Wallace-Nannig
• Emma Jane Edwards: Proposed Veronica Fowler, Seconded Gerard Jaffray
• Eric Miller Goss: Proposed Tony Carey, Seconded Isabel Short
• Janet Robertson: Proposed Paul Brickle. Seconded Richard Davies
• Glenn Stephen Ross: Proposed Robert Rowlands, Seconded Les Harris
• Richard Sawle: Proposed James Moffatt, Seconded Andrew Brownlee
• Gavin Phillip Short: Proposed Montana Short, Seconded Mark Spruce
• Michael Victor Summers: Proposed Sarah Clement, Seconded Lisa Johnston

Camp:

• Roger Anthony Edwards: Proposed Michael Alazia, Seconded Leon Marsh
• Sharon Halford: Proposed Terence McPhee, Seconded Daniela Whitney
• Ian Hansen: Proposed Joyce Donnelly, Seconded David Pole-Evans
• William Robert Luxton: Proposed Grizelda Cockwell, Seconded Juan Hobman
• Richard James Stevens: Proposed Ailsa Heathman, Seconded Tony Heathman
• David Clive Walter Wilkinson: Proposed Roy McGhie, Seconded Neil Watson