Sark general election sees '66% turn-out'

The Island of Sark Chief Pleas said there was a 66% turn-out

The government in Sark has announced the results of its general election and said there was a 66% turn-out.

There are now nine new members of the chief pleas with Conseiller elect Michael Locke topping the poll with 179 votes.

The results were announced before 21:00 GMT on Wednesday and it was the first year in Sark in which 16-year-olds could cast their votes.

Locke said there was a "big responsibility" and was "grateful" to everyone who had voted.

He said: "There is a big responsibility on our shoulders to try and do the right thing for them.

"I think it gives the chief pleas a mandate as much as any other conseillers. When we get in there, we are all equal and we have to do our best for the island and that is exactly what I will be doing."

Returning Officer Paul Armorgie said he was delighted because there was a 66% turn-out.

One polling station

Armorgie said: "I am absolutely delighted, on what was a pretty poor day weather wise, that so many people turned out to cast their vote.

"We only have one polling station on Sark, which was at the island's hall. We opened it early this year for the first time ever.

"We opened it at 08:00 GMT and it remained open for 10 hours to allow the maximum number of people to cast their votes."

He said he had spent most of the day at the elections and only saw one person aged 16 cast their vote.

"Hopefully, next time we will see even more from that age category now able to vote in Sark," added Armorgie.

Asked what he hoped to achieve in his role, Locke said: "I think the key issues we have facing us are economy and infrastructure."

A recount is due to take place on Thursday at 18:00 GMT, added the Chief Pleas.