Elections 2023
Incumbents for Districts 1 and 4 not up for re-election
Former Premier and First Electoral District Representative Andrew Fahie and Fourth Electoral District Representative Mark Vanterpool will not run for re-election this year.
Fahie, the ex-chairman of the Virgin Islands Party and Minister of Finance, along with Ports Authority Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son Kadeem Maynard, were arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents on April 28th, 2022 and charged with conspiring to import more than five kilos of cocaine into the United States and conspiring to launder $700,000.
While Vanterpool has resigned after 24 years as the Representative of the capital, Road Town and its surroundings.
Fahie, a former teacher and third premier of the territory, is currently on one million dollars bail in Florida after spending 46 days in a federal detention centre.\
He now wears an ankle bracelet, and he and his family have surrendered their passports to the federal authorities in the United States.
The Maynards remain in custody.
On November 24, 2022, Fahie resigned as VIP chairman and retired from politics after 24 years.
He was first elected as First Electoral District Representative in 1999 at the age of 28. As a member of the VIP government, he has served as Minister for Health,
Education and Welfare from 2000 to 2003 and Minister for Education and Culture from 2007 to 2011.
In 2016, Fahie became leader of the VIP and three years later, on February 25th, 2019, he led his party to an impressive victory in the general election, breaking the
National Democratic Party’s winning streak. VIP won eight of 13 elected seats in the House of Assembly.
Campaigning to replace Fahie as First Electoral District Representative in the April 24 general elections are VIP Carl Dawnson, Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) Sylvia Romney and independent candidate Chad George.
Fourth Electoral District Representative Mark Vanterpool has brought the curtains down on his career in local politics after a little over two decades.
The National Democratic Party politician was first elected in the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands to represent the capital, Road Town and its surroundings on May 17th, 1999.
Four years later in 2003, he was re-elected, but this time as a member of VIP.
He returned to the NDP in 2007, but lost his re-election campaign. Four years later in 2011, Vanterpool was re-elected as the Fourth Electoral District on the NDP ticket and appointed Minister for Communications and Works. He was re-elected again in 2015 and 2019.
This year, VIP Luce Hodge-Smith returns after her 2019 defeat to Vanterpool, Sandy Underhill is the NDP candidate, Ian Smith represents PVIM and Rosita Scatliffe is running as the lone independent candidate in the Fourth Electoral District.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has recommended Hon. Marlon A. Penn for appointment as Leader of the Opposition following his election as Political Leader of the party, according to a statement issued on April 21.
The recommendation was made by the four elected Opposition members of the House of Assembly after consultation, in accordance with Section 70 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.
The party said the recommendation has been formally submitted to His Excellency the Governor, Daniel Pruce, for consideration and appointment.
Penn was elected Political Leader of the NDP during the party’s National Convention held on April 18, 2026.
Under the Constitution, the Governor appoints the Leader of the Opposition from among members of the House of Assembly who command the support of the majority of Opposition members.
In its statement, the NDP said the recommendation reflects the confidence of Opposition members and the party in Penn’s leadership and experience.
“The appointment reflects the confidence of the Opposition Members and the National Democratic Party in the leadership, experience, and commitment of Honourable Penn to effectively represent the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands,” the statement said.
The party said further updates will be provided following formal confirmation of the appointment.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) elected a new leadership team during its National Convention on April 18, at Maria’s by the Sea, with Marlon A. Penn, Melvin Mitch Turnbull, Paul A. Hewlett and Andrea Walters among those selected to key positions following a series of contested and uncontested races among 121 delegates.
Penn was elected Chairman after securing 65 votes in a contested race against Mark H. Vanterpool, who received 39 votes, and Ronnie W. Skelton, who received 17 votes, according to official results released by the party.
Turnbull was elected Deputy Chairman with 64 votes, defeating Myron V. Walwyn, who received 57 votes in another closely watched contest.
Hewlett was confirmed as President after running unopposed, while Walters was elected Vice President, defeating Troy Christopher.
Delegates also elected Messena Vanterpool-Pompey as Secretary, Sharnette Chalwell as Assistant Secretary, Eldon Solomon as Treasurer, Cathy-Ann Bascombe as Assistant Treasurer, Dorilyn Edwards as Chaplain, Aaliyah Inniss as Chairperson of the Youth Movement and Lisa Smith as Chairperson of the Women’s Movement.
The convention, which brought together delegates from across the territory, marked a key step for the party as it finalizes its leadership structure ahead of the next general election.
In remarks following his election, Penn said the outcome signaled a new phase for the organization.
“I am profoundly grateful and honoured for the support and confidence vested in me to lead the party into the next general elections,” Penn said. “I honestly believe that today marks a renewed chapter for the National Democratic Party. We are united, focused, and ready to restore confidence in leadership while delivering meaningful results for the people of these Virgin Islands.”
Turnbull, speaking after his election, said the leadership team would prioritize unity and practical solutions.
“Our focus is on unity, rebuilding trust, and advancing practical solutions that improve the lives of the people of these Virgin Islands,” Turnbull said.
The NDP, one of the Virgin Islands’ principal political parties, holds internal conventions to elect officers and set direction as it prepares for national campaigns.
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