Elections 2023
First-time candidate Chad C. George eyes First District seat
By MERRICK ANDREWS, Online News Editor
(JTV News) — Chad C. George, a specialist in the local financial services sector, on Friday, Feb. 17 announced his plan to contest the 2023 General Elections as an independent candidate in the First District.
The Carrot Bay resident told Cathy Richards on JTV’s The Big Story that it will be his first time entering the political ring.
“I am a first-time candidate so I have no experience in regards to running before but I have been around politics for a long time, so I do have experience on that front but not experience as being an actual candidate or an actual political figure,” George said.
Asked why the decision to run at this time, George replied: “I have been contemplating it for a while. Actually, since last year I have been contemplating it. I’ve had various people in the district come to me and approach me and ask me and tell me they think I would be a good representative for the district. And … I think I would be a good representative because I am a person who serves people. I put our country first and I see things that need to be done in the First District so that we can better the First District as well as the Virgin Islands as a whole. So, I decided to throw my hat in the ring so I can serve the people.”
George said he was raised in Carrot Bay by his mother and grandparents. He attended the Isabella Morris Primary School, the BVI High School (now the Elmore Stoutt High School), and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
He said he was transferred to Norfolk State University in the state of Virginia, United States, where he achieved a bachelor of science degree in business with a concentration in finance (cum laude).
On his return to the British Virgin Islands, George said he took up employment in the financial services sector, specializing in compliance.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he was an assistant compliance officer at Citco B.V.I. Limited (six years, one month), the same position he held at AMS Financial Services Limited for one year and four months. He is a compliance officer at Rawlinson & Hunter Limited for nine years now.
George noted that he is an approved compliance/money laundering reporting officer. Specifically, his LinkedIn profile states that he achieved an International Advanced Certificate in Compliance and Financial Crime in 2010 from the International Compliance Association.
Now is the time to go from the private sector to the public sector to serve the First District, George said.
When quizzed further about his plans for the First District, George said though he is still collecting information from people in his community, the West End Ferry Terminal, road conditions in the First District, the tourism product in regards to the fishing areas, and “more stuff” to engage the youth of the First District are some of the things he has on his agenda.
Elections 2023
Virgin Islands Releases 2024 Preliminary Voters List for Public Review
The 2024 Preliminary Voters List for the Virgin Islands has been released for public review, as mandated by Section 18 (6) of the Elections Act 1994 and its amendments. The list includes a total of 16,106 registered voters across the Territory’s nine electoral districts.
Supervisor of Elections, Scherrie Griffin, emphasised the importance of this review process, urging the public to ensure their information is accurate. “The publication of the Preliminary Voters List plays a crucial role in keeping the Territory’s Voters List up-to-date throughout the year. It is essential that individuals check their registration details for their respective districts,” Griffin stated.
The list is available for inspection at 48 locations throughout the Virgin Islands, including supermarkets, clinics, bars, restaurants, stores, government buildings, and the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. Additionally, the list can be accessed online at bvi.gov.vg/elections.
Those with objections or claims regarding the list must submit them between September 6 and 19 at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, located in the Creque Building on Main Street, Tortola.
Elections 2023
Voter Registration Now Open: Residents Urged to Register and Update Information
The Office of the Supervisor of Elections is reminding the public that voter registration is currently open. Eligible individuals are encouraged to register.
According to Section (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, eligibility to vote requires being a Belonger aged 18 or older and domiciled in the Virgin Islands.
To register, individuals must present a Virgin Islands Passport with an embossed seal, a Belonger’s Card, or a Belonger’s Certificate. A Naturalisation Certificate dated before June 15, 2007, is also acceptable.
Furthermore, Section 17(1) of the Elections (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 2011 states:
“A registered voter who is ordinarily resident in the Territory and who moves his place of residence from within one local electoral district or polling division to another, may have his name transferred to the list of voters for the local electoral district or polling division to which he has moved if he applies on Form No. 9 and establishes, to the satisfaction of the Supervisor of Elections, proof of residence within the local electoral district or polling division to which he/she has moved.”
Individuals who have changed their residence and wish to transfer their registration are encouraged to apply. Supporting documents for a transfer can include cable, water, electricity, or telephone bills, a rent receipt, lease agreement, or a notarized document stating the new address.
Registration and Transfer forms are available at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, Road Town Post Office, the District Offices on Anegada and Virgin Gorda, and the Government Office on Jost Van Dyke. These forms can also be accessed online at BVI Government’s website under the services tab.
For further information, please contact the Office of the Supervisor of Elections at 284-468-4380 or 284-468-3701 Ext. 4380 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The office is located at Creque’s Building, #216 Upper Main Street, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Elections 2023
Voter ID Card Issuance Resumes in the British Virgin Islands
The Office of the Supervisor of Elections in the British Virgin Islands has announced the resumption of Voter Identification Card issuance.
To obtain the card, individuals must provide proof of identity along with updated registration information.
Accepted documents for proof of identity include a BVI Passport with an embossed seal, a Belonger Card, a Belonger Certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization (issued before June 15, 2007), or a previous Voter Identification Card if applicable.
Applicants seeking to change their name on the card or transfer their registration must submit specific documents. For a change of name, individuals must complete Form No.3 [Claim Form] in person at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, accompanied by documents such as a Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, or Deed Poll. For transferring registration, Form No. 9 [Transfer of Registration] must be filled out in person at the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, along with additional proof of identity.
Additionally, applicants must provide proof of residence, which can include utility bills (Cable, Water, Electricity, or Telephone), rental receipts with the new address, or a notarized document from the head of household/lessee confirming residency.
It’s essential to note that utility bills or receipts must be dated within two months prior to the application date for a Voter Identification Card.
For further inquiries and information, individuals are encouraged to contact the Office of the Supervisor of Elections at 284-468-4380 or via email at electionsoffice@gov.vg.
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