Persons Must Apply By April 13 To Vote On Advance Polling Day

The last day for the submission of applications to vote on Advance Polling Day in the British Virgin Islands is April 13.

Advance Polling Day is Thursday, April 20.

The following categories of persons do not need to obtain permission to vote on Advance Polling Day, but must present a valid form of identification:

• Elderly Persons (age 65 and older)
• 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.)
• The relative or friend that is accompanying an elderly or differentially 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.

The following category of persons are also eligible to vote on Advance Polling Day, but will be required to complete and submit application Form No. 30 by April 13, requesting permission to be treated as a voter on that day.

• Election Officers
• Police Officers
• Persons with confirmed travel plans outside of the territory on Polling Day
• Persons on remand
• Candidates who have been successfully nominated on Nomination Day
• Medical Doctors
• Nurses
• Emergency Medical Technicians
• Prison Officers
• Registered Social Care Providers (Recognised by the Ministry of Health)
• 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.

Medical 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 that contains 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 that contains 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 contains 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 contains 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 the 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.

Election Day is April 24.