Elections 2023
Territory Over Party Says Lorna Smith
National Democratic Party (NDP) Territorial-At-Large elected member Lorna Smith says she put the territory first by forming an alliance with the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to secure a majority in the Fifth House of Assembly.
“I campaigned on putting the people of the BVI first,” Smith said in an exclusive interview with jahphixtelevision.com Cathy Richards today, April 25.
The VIP won six seats, just one short of having a majority in the House of Assembly. VIP seats were secured by Karl Dawson in the First Electoral District, Luce Hodge-Smith in the Fourth Electoral District, Kye Rhymer in the Fifth Electoral District, Chairman Dr. Natalio Wheatley in the Seventh Electoral District and Vincent Wheatley in Ninth Electoral District. Sharie De Castro won one of the four Territorial-At-Large.
Smith’s party – NDP won three seats: Myron Walwyn in the Sixth Electoral District and Marlon Penn in the Eight Electoral District. Lorna Smith won one the four Territorial-At Large seats.
Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) secured three seats – Mitch Turnbull returned as Second Electoral District Representative and Skelton and Stacey ‘Buddha’ Mather won two of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.
PU Chairman Julian Fraser was re-elected as the Third Electoral District Representative.
Before 11pm on Monday, the Supervisor of Election Scherrie Griffin announced the final results for the territory’s nine electoral districts at the Multi- Purpose Sport Complex.
With no clear winner, political parties held discussions hours into the early morning with an aim to forge a workable alliance.
Smith, the wife of former NDP chairman and retired Premier, said she was approached by the VIP and decided to forge an alliance which will return the incumbent party chairman Dr Wheatley to the position of Premier.
Reports are that Smith will be the territory’s Deputy Premier.
Governor John Rankin earlier today received a letter supporting the appointment of Dr. Wheatley as Premier and for him to form the Government of the territory in accordance with Section 52 of the VI Constitution Order, 2007.
In accordance with Section 52 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order the Governor will swear in Dr. Premier, and his Ministers, at 6.30 p.m. at Government House.
A total of 42 candidates contested the April 24 polls. Advance Polling was on 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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