Elections 2023
Three Virgin Islands Party Politicians Recused From Belongership Debate
Three Virgin Islands Party politicians – Premier and Seventh Electoral District Representative Natalio Wheatley, Deputy House Speaker and Education Minister Sharie deCastro – on Monday recused themselves from the Belongership Bill debate in the House of Assembly.
They did not take part in the debate to avoid a claim of conflict of interest because their spouses/significant others were on the list of the 688 persons who were fast tracked to belonger status between 2019 to 2020.
Addtionally, deCastro and Smith were not members of cabinet when the bill was presented.
With just over a week before April 24 – Election Day – the HOA was recalled by Governor John Rankin who questioned the process used by the VIP administration to fast track the group.
In a statement on April 14, 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.
The Immigration and Passport Act explains the road to belongership – a person must be resident in the territory for no less than ten years and must complete a period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for belonger status.
The Governor noted that 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 HOA 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. Forty-two independent and party candidates are up for election this year.
In response, the Premier and VIP Chairman Wheatley publicly supported the recall of the house “so this matter can be immediately addressed.”
He added: “Cabinet’s approval of those persons was done on the basis of the advice of the attorney general…it appears to be an honest oversight. According to the law they should have been free of immigration status 12 months after getting their residency.”
Advance Polling Day is April 20.
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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