The Speaker of the House of Keys, the Hon Steve Rodan SHK, has given notice that a special sitting of the House of Keys will take place on Monday March 18th 2013 at which elections to the Legislative Council will be held. He has also issued a Guidance Note on the procedure which will be followed.

The elections have been occasioned by the expiry on Thursday February 28th 2013 of the terms of office of four MLCs, Mr David Callister, Mr Eddie Lowey, Mr Juan Turner and Mr Tony Wild.

Current legislation requires that the House fill the resultant vacancies by electing persons to the Legislative Council. Candidates need not themselves be current or former MHKs, but must have the support of 13 MHKs to be elected.

A formal call for nominations will be issued on Thursday January 28th 2013 by Mr Speaker who said: ‘I am giving early notification to Members of the election date and procedures in order to make the election process as smooth as possible. I also hope the Guidance Note, which explains the legislation and Standing Orders in plain English, will assist the Keys in this important constitutional duty which they have to perform on behalf of the public of the Isle of Man.’

Members of the public may attend the sitting which will commence at 10am.

A link to the guidance note relating to the elections can be found on the Tynwald website at http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/sto/.