Elections 2023
NDP Myron Walwyn Challenges Premier To Honour His Promise To Repeal ‘Greedy Bill’
Six Electoral District Representative and National Democratic Party (NDP) member Myron Walwyn has challenged Premier Natalio Wheatley to honour his promise to repeal the controversial Retiring Allowances (Legislative Services) Amendment Act, 2021 popularly known as the “greedy bill”.
At a NDP, Progressive Virgin Islands Party Movement (PVIM) and Progressives United (PU) joint press conference on April 27 in Tortola, Walwyn stressed that the promises made on the campaign trail must be held up by the politicians elected to the Fifth House of Assembly.
“..the legislative amendment act that I made very clear that should be repealed. I recalled the Premier indicating that he would repeal it and I would like to see that as the first order of business in the house because the people of this country cannot afford to carry that burden with all the other social issues that we have.”
Residents argue that The Retiring Allowances (Legislative Services) Amendment Act, 2021 passed by the Virgin Islands Party administration led by Andrew Fahie gives politicians cushy retirement packages.
The greedy bill was one of the hottest topics debated during the campaign trail following the announcement by Governor John Rankin in mid March that general election will be held on April 24.
The former NDP chairman first made the legislative public during a campaign speech and incumbent Premier Wheatley responded with a promise to not only repeal the bill if re-elected, but to abstain from collecting any of the benefits and allowances guaranteed by the legislation.
During the press live conference, Walwyn thanked the people of the Sixth Electoral District for the “confidence that they have reposed in me” and assured them that “things we campaigned on I will fight for you to get those things done.”
“I want to assure them that as a member of Team BVI I will do my best to support what is brought forward that is good and right for the country, but anything that is contrary to that will be met by my stark opposition.”
Walwyn also congratulated the VIP elected members.
VIP won six seats – Chairman and Premier Wheatley in the Seventh Electoral District , Karl Dawson in the First Electoral District, Luce Hodge-Smith in the Fourth Electoral District, Kye Rhymer in the Fifth Electoral District, and Vincent Wheatley in Ninth Electoral District. Sharie De Castro won one of the four Territorial-At-Large seats.
NDP won three seats – Walwyn in the Sixth Electoral District and Marlon Penn in the Eight Electoral District. Lorna Smith won one the four Territorial-At Large seats.
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.
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 results were announced, NDP’s Smith crossed the floor and joined the VIP. The former First Lady is now the Deputy Premier.
Walwyn noted that the House of Assembly needs to address a number of issues at the district and national level, adding that “we must take the work of the public and the people very seriously.”
He wants the new government to pay more attention to young people with good business ideas.
“I want to see opportunities for our young people. I want to see programmes brought forward… that can help people who have a good business idea to bring those ideas to fruition and an agency that can guide them through…”
Other pressing areas, according to Walwyn are the treatment of seniors and unemployment nationally.
“…the thought of our seniors being relegated after they have given so much to the country…can no longer be. Bring them to the forefront because they still have contributions to make.”
He also wants a further examination of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations.
The CoI report found corruption at all levels of government and listed 50 recommendations to fix governance concerns.
Walwyn noted that the 2022 Unity government formed after the United Kingdom threatened to temporarily suspend the territory’s constitution was “almost fearful in assisting the people of the country.”
“I want us to be able to look at those recommendations from the CoI. Not be fearful. Not be gullible, not accept every single thing. Whatever we do must be in the best interest of the people of this country,” he stressed.
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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