Elections 2023
“We cannot do the same things and continue to expect different results” — Turnbull
By MERRICK ANDREWS, Online News Editor
(JTV NEWS) — Deputy Chairman of the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull told a press conference on Friday that the PVIM will do things differently while emphasizing unity as one of the ingredients to overcome the territory’s troubles.
Turnbull, who is the Second District representative and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour, said that it is better to learn from the mistakes of others instead of celebrating their failures.
He cautioned that repeating the mistakes of our past is “insanity”.
“We cannot do the same things and continue to expect different results,” he said.
And a PVIM government will not operate like previous administrations, Turnbull noted.
“We must do things differently, and a Progressive Virgin Islands Movement government will do things differently; [the] discipline to know that we should utilize our strengths. Where I may be weak, I will lean on my leader and I will lean on the other members of my team so that their expertise, their experience, and their training will help build a better BVI,” he explained.
Turnbull said the PVIM will “not turn away any voice or any suggestion” but will “continue to talk to the people in this territory because we are all in this together”.
“We are stronger together in our communities when we come together. Our families, we are stronger together. Our businesses, we are stronger together. As a people, we are stronger together, and as a British Virgin Islands territory, when we are together, we are stronger,” he emphasised.
A PLAN
Earlier in the press conference, founder and chairman of the PVIM, Ronnie W. Skelton, in his opening remarks, said a development plan is what’s needed to help solve the territory’s probems.
“From this national development plan, we need to develop strategies for the development of our education system, the development of our healthcare system, the infrastructure, roads, bridges, and ports and we need a plan to fix the social needs of our country,” Skelton, a former minister under the National Democratic Party, said.
Turnbull echoed similar sentiments in his statement.
“I believe that our chairman laid out the platform because PVIM stands on six principles which are integrity, accountability transparency, hope, inspiration, and empowerment,” he said.
He added: “And one of the things that is important is that we have to cast a vision. And you heard Hon. Skelton speak about a vision and some of the things that we want and need to do in this territory to rebuild our reputation. What is important in the vision simply means that we have to have a plan, but not only have to have a plan, but we must stick to the plan that we have and not lose focus on the main things, which are the people, and building the country through its natural resources, as well as the most under-utilized resources which is the human resources.”
WILL NOT YIELD
Turnbull said the territory must continue to fight for its “democratic freedoms” and maintain the pace of its constitutional advancement. He suggested that the PVIM will not steer away from this course.
“As [a] leader in this territory, I am faced with having the ability to make decisions, and making decisions means that collectively as a Progressive Virgin Islands Movement, as a team, under the leadership of Ronnie W. Skelton, we will stay the course to do what is best to represent the interest of the people,” he said.
Turnbull said he remains committed to his district no matter what, and he will not lower his standards.
He explained: “For my people in the Second District, for which I was elected in 2015 and then again in 2019, I continue to be that voice and make that decision to be that committed individual that will fight under conviction and standing on my principle to be that voice, whether I stand alone…. I know that I am not alone. I have a group of seven individuals, and a week from now you will hear a little bit more about who the additional candidates will be. But it is one of the reasons why I said in 2021 I will not yield. I will not yield to the interest of those who are pushing themselves above country and their own self-interest. I will not yield to discouraging young people from having an opportunity and our passion, the love for the country and its people.”
SUPPORT FOR THE YOUTH
Turnbull expressed his support for seniors, saying their knowledge, which must be gleaned, is important to the developement of the territory. Additionally, providing opportunities to young people in the territory is also high on his and the PVIM’s agenda.
“… How I see it, is that our young people … they are not just the future, but what we do now determines what will happen to them and us in the future,” he pointed out.
Despite having to make some tough decisions over the past several years, Turnbull said putting country above self is what matters most, especially in these difficult times.
“[I had] the ability … over the last three and a half years to sacrifice and to even make decisions that may not have been popular,” he said, “but when you look at all that has happened on April 28 and April 29th, it is impossible to not put the country above ourselves and it takes me to passion. If your passion and your purpose is not bigger than yourself then you’re doing the wrong thing. And for us in the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement, we understand, we agree, and we believe collectively that the purpose and the issues of this country are much bigger than any one of us.
“That’s why we welcome persons like Hon. Shereen Flax-Charles who have made this decision and the other members of our team who have made this decision….to put back the reputation of this Virgin Islands on its right track to a place where we can be respected so that we can once again [we can] be proud of ourselves locally, regionally and internationally.”
Turnbull, who is the son of a minister of religion, did not forget some core Christian values: humility and faith.
“And finally, I will speak about discipline: to remain humble and remember to acknowledge God in all that I do and all that we do, because we know that if we acknowledge God, he will direct our path,” he said.
Turnbull said despite the “flaws, failures and setbacks” suffered by the territory, he believes “there is more ahead for the BVI than what is in the past”.
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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