Elections 2023
WHO CAN VOTE ON ADVANCE POLLING DAY
Advance polling day or early voting day will take place on Thursday, April 20 across the British Virgin Islands, four days before general elections.
Persons who do not need to obtain permission to vote on Advance Polling Day, but must present a valid form of identification are:
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Elderly Persons (age 65 and older)
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Differently abled persons (e.g. persons who use devices to assist with mobility; persons who are blind or have severe visual impairment; persons who are deaf; and persons with cognitive disabilities.)
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The relative or friend accompanying an elderly or differently abled person who requires assistance to cast their ballot. The relative or friend can only assist one person and must also be a registered voter within the same electoral district as the person that they are assisting. They will not be allowed to assist another voter on Polling Day.
Persons eligible to vote on Advance Polling Day, but are required to complete and submit application Form No. 30 by April 13 requesting permission are:
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Election Officers
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Police Officers
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Persons with confirmed travel plans outside of the territory on Polling Day
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Persons on remand
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Candidates who have been successfully nominated on Nomination Day
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Medical Doctors
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Nurses
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Emergency Medical Technicians
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Prison Officers
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Registered Social Care Providers (Recognised by the Ministry of Health)
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Persons whose work schedule would prohibit them from voting on Polling Day.
Persons with confirmed travel plans outside of the Territory on Election Day must submit, along with their application form, a confirmed purchased ticket/travel itinerary reflecting the period they are scheduled to be out of the Territory.
Persons on remand should submit in writing their interest to the Superintendent of Prisons who will then assist in completing the required application form.
Medial doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians should submit a letter, on official letterhead, from the Managing Director or the Director of Human Resources of the BVI Health Services Authority, or the licensed private medical facility containing the name and job title of the person applying to be treated as a voter on Advance Polling Day; and the full name, signature, and title of the authority confirming the applicant’s eligibility.
Police and prison officers must submit a letter on official letterhead from the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, in the case of members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, or the Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent of Prisons in the case of officers of His Majesty Prison Service containing the name and job title of the person applying to be treated as a voter on Advance Polling Day; and the full name, signature, and title of the authority confirming the applicant’s eligibility.
Registered Social Care providers should submit a letter, on official letterhead, from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health or Social Development or the Chief Social Development Officer that containing the name and job title of the person applying to be treated as a voter on Advance Polling Day; and the full name, signature, and title of the authority confirming the applicant’s eligibility.
Persons whose work schedule would prohibit them from voting on Polling Day are required to submit a letter from their place of employment on official letterhead, signed by the managing director or the director of human resources of the establishment that containing the name and job title of the person applying to be treated as a voter on Advance Polling Day; and the full name, signature, and title of the authority confirming the applicant’s eligibility.
The Supervisor of Elections will review all applications and decide whether the applicant will be able to vote on Advance Polling Day. Successful applicants will be issued an identification from the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, which must be presented at the polling station within their respective electoral district on Advance Polling Day.
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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