The Government of the Virgin Islands has proposed new laws that would, for the first time, formally regulate the registration, financing, and conduct of political parties and independent candidates under the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The proposed legislation establishes a public register of political parties and independent candidates, requiring each to submit detailed financial disclosures and adhere to strict accounting and auditing standards. Parties receiving or spending more than $500,000 annually would be required to undergo an independent audit, with reports made available for public inspection.
The Bill also introduces a comprehensive framework for political donations, specifying who may contribute and how funds must be handled. Companies making political donations would need board approval, while anonymous or suspicious donations must be reported and forfeited under prescribed procedures. Offences and penalties are outlined for violations, reinforcing the legislation’s emphasis on financial transparency and accountability.
In addition to finance reforms, the Bill strengthens the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates, which all participants must sign before campaigning. A newly established Enforcement Committee would have the authority to investigate breaches of the Code, with the Supervisor of Elections empowered to issue warnings or impose fines of up to $2,000.
The Code sets new boundaries for campaign activity, including a mandatory cutoff at 11 p.m. on the eve of both advance polling day and polling day, applying to all campaign materials, public events, and online content. The Bill also restricts government announcements, appointments, and public spending initiatives after the House of Assembly is dissolved to prevent the misuse of state resources during an election period.
According to the Bill’s objects and reasons, the changes are designed to “enhance transparency, fairness, and integrity” within the electoral process, aligning the Virgin Islands’ laws with international standards for democratic governance.
If passed, the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2025 would mark the most comprehensive update to the territory’s election laws in decades, expanding oversight of both party operations and campaign behavior ahead of future general elections.
