BVI Election Met International Standards Says Commonwealth Observer Mission

The Election Observation  Mission, run by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British  Islands and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR), said the British Virgin Islands 2023 general election broadly met international standards.

The eight-member international team, led by Gambian Parliamentarian Fatoumatta Njai observed voting on Advance Polling Day on April 20 and Election Day on April 24.

 “The British Virgin Islands has delivered a well-administered election, which was carried out in a calm and professional manner. Polling staff were well-trained, diligent and helpful, and efforts to promote voting by elderly voters and persons with disabilities were commendable,” she said in a joint statement from the Office of the Deputy Governor and Office of the Supervisor of Election.

The observers were invited to the territory by Governor John Rankin. The team observed Advance Polling in 7 polling stations, and on Polling Day the Mission deployed members to all 18 polling stations across Tortola, Jost van Dyke, Anegada and Virgin Gorda.

In their Preliminary Statement, the Mission also highlights areas for improvement, including “the lack of campaign finance regulations.  Voters are unaware of sources of campaign funding, which is not in line with international best practice.”

The team described the campaigning trail as  “vibrant”, and noted that voters were able to choose from a wide range of candidates.”

But the statement added that the “Mission noted that a considerable number of voters chose to stay away from the polls with a lower turnout compared to previous elections. Also, the participation of women  in political life is not actively promoted, with the Mission highlighting that only three out of 13 elected Members to the House of Assembly were women.”

A final report will be available in two months.

VIP secured six seats – Karl Dawson in the First  Electoral District, Luce Hodge-Smith in the Fourth  Electoral District, Kye Rhymer in the Fifth Electoral District, Chairman 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.

PVIM won three seats in the House of Assembly – Mitch Turnbull returned as Second Electoral District Representative and Skelton and Stacey ‘Buddha’ Mather won two of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.

NDP won three seats – Myron Walwyn in the Sixth Electoral District and Marlon Penn in the Eight Electoral District. Lorna Smith won one of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.

And, PU Chairman Julian Fraser was re-elected as the Third Electoral District Representative.

Many expected PVIM, NDP and PU to form a coalition government, but less than 24 hours after the results were announced, NDP’s Smith crossed the floor and joined the VIP. 

VIP Chairman Natalio Wheatley is Premier of the territory and former First Lady Smith is Deputy Premier.