Elections 2023
“He’s gonna get the job done” — Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather to run at-large for PVIM
By MERRICK ANDREWS, Online News Editor
(JTV News) — Executive Director of the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather, has confirmed that he will run for an at-large seat in this year’s General Election for the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM).
Mather was among the seven PVIM candidates presented to the media towards the end of a press conference on Friday morning.
Except for PVIM Chairman Ronnie W. Skelton – who will run at large – it was not disclosed at the conference what seats the other candidates, including Mather, would contest in the Elections, constitutionally due by May 12.
However, by Friday afternoon, Mather disclosed on his Facebook profile with the post: “Yes, as an at large candidate.”
Several hours later, that same day, the PVIM’s official Facebook page, called The Movement VI, shared Mather’s post confirming his candidacy, with the statement: “The kind of people OUR country deserves! We wish him the bluest and best!”
The other candidates who were confirmed by the PVIM are the party’s deputy chairman Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull, Paul Hewlett, Shaina Smith, Sylvia Moses, and a newcomer to the party, Shereen Flax-Charles, who resigned from the Virgin Islands Party earlier this month.
Meanwhile, JTV News, via social media, contacted Mather, who promised to give more information, particularly on March 4 when the party chairman promised the media the other candidates will be revealed.
Mather’s announcement on Facebook has been met with some very positive feedback.
“Please don’t change who you are n Blessings in your every endeavor. Connected to the most high,” one person wrote under his post.
“I’m not voting for him because I know him, I’m voting for him cause I KNOW he’s gonna get the job done,” another said.
And “what a great choice” said another.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mather has been the executive director of YEP for over 16 years.
It also shows that he was an elementary school teacher employed by the BVI Government for over 12 years, from 1994 to 2006.
He attended the BVI High (now the Elmore Stoutt High School) and the University of the Virgin Islands where he achieved a master’s degree in education/management and the Chartered Management Institute where he achieved a diploma in business management.
Mather is also an avid photographer and owns SRM Photography. His activities, according to LinkedIn, include the Drama Club and the Golden Key Honour Society.
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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