Governor John Rankin Orders House Of Assembly Recall To Review Belonger Status Process For 688 Residents

British Virgin Islands Governor John Rankin has questioned the process used by the Virgin Islands Party administration to fast track 688 residents to belonger status between 2019 to 2020 and has called for the House of Assembly to be recalled.

In a joint statement with Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio D, Wheatley, last evening, the Governor said “after consultation with the Honourable Premier and further discussions yesterday in cabinet, I wish to inform you that I intend to exercise my power under Section 88 of the constitution to recall the House of Assembly. The need for this to happen has arisen from the findings of the audit report on the fastrack residency and belongership programme carried out during 2019 and early 2020 by the then government”

The governor stressed that the group was granted residency and belonger-ship certificates simultaneously.

He said the “audit finds, following advice from the Attorney General that 688 persons were granted belonger status at the time did not meet a particular aspect of the applicable legal requirements.”

Belongers have the right to vote in general elections in the territory.

Recalling the House of Assembly will give people a chance to “read the audit report and its addendum for themselves when they are laid,” Governor Rankin noted.

A total of 16,131 persons have registered to vote in the territory, a 1,093 increase from  2019.