Applications for seats on Legislative Council open

Election due to take place in March

Applications for a position on the Isle of Man's Legislative Council are now open with elections scheduled to take place in March next year.

Members of the public can now put themselves forward directly removing the former requirement of needing a nomination from an MHK.

However, MHKs still retain the sole voting power on candidates with no direct public vote involved.

Candidates must still secure a proposer and seconder from MHKs.

The application period closes on 9 January with a conference on 24 January.

MHKs then have until 13 February to propose or second their preferred candidates.

Hustings are planned for 24 February followed by the election on 4 March.

Swearing-in for successful candidates will take place on 11 March.

Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson hopes the revised process will 'look and feel like a conventional recruitment process' and make it more accessible for those less acquainted with Tynwald’s procedures.