UPDATED: BVI General Elections 2023 will go on: Governor

By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor

Governor John Rankin has squashed speculation that the British Virgin Islands General Elections may not take place this year.

Speaking at a press conference he hosted on Tuesday, Rankin said he is aware that speculation is rife that the elections may be cancelled.

However, he said “nothing could be further from the truth”.

Rankin made those comments in response to a question from JTV’s Senior Journalist, Cathy Richards, who asked: “Governor, there is quite a lot of tension around as we close in on [the] election period and there is this feeling by some sections that it seems as though elections is not going to happen. Is there anything that can happen that will prevent elections [from] happening?”

The governor responded by saying: “I have seen the speculation that somehow or another elections will be prevented by myself or by the United Kingdom government. Nothing could be further from the truth. And that speculation, as far as I am concerned, has no basis whatsoever.

“When the Minister for the Overseas Territories Lord Goldsmith was here, he made clear the UK position that more work needs to be done before the Order in Council can be lifted but there was no suggestion from the minister of an intention to trigger the Order in Council at this point which would lead to a partial suspension of the constitution.”

Elections are constitutionally due by May 12, 2023, and the House of Assembly should be dissolved by the latest March 12, 2023, the governor said.