Elections 2023
BVI Will Have A Coalition Government Predicts District 3 Representative Julian Fraser
British Virgin Islands Third Electoral District incumbent Julian Fraser believes there is no clear winner in this election race and that the territory will have a coalition government over the next four years.
Fraser shared his prediction during his April 1st campaign launch in Sea Cows, Tortola.
In a surprise move, the six-term district representative endorsed the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM).
“I am confident that we are going to have in our next house of assembly a colation government,” the chairman of the Progressive United (PU) told the crowd.
He added that he reached out to the leaders of the main opposition parties – Ronnie Skelton of PVIM and Marlon Penn of the National Democratic Party (NDP) – “to let them know in no uncertain terms, there is one enemy out there, that’s the Virgin Islands Party.”
“We got to cut the head off that snake, and I am prepared. I told my people that think that I am a lone ranger and I don’t associate with people, I tell them that’s not the case. The only reason the other group is not here is because they have a man out there manoeuvring in my district, but I will take care of him.”
According to Fraser the next house of assembly needs warriors.
“Ronnie Skelton is coming back as a warrior, of course I will be there.”
PVIM is not contesting in Fraser’s district, while NDP’s candidate is Aaron Parillon.
This is the first time Fraser has publicly endorsed a political party.
PVIM chairman Skelton publicly accepted Fraser’s support on behalf of his party.
“I am here on behalf of my team to accept this humble endorsement by your representative Honourable Julian Fraser. I am here also to throw our full support behind the liberator Julian Fraser on his quest to the fifth House of Assembly. We are at a dark moment on our territory’s timeliness, but I believe that brighter days are ahead of us,” Skelton told the crowd.
Fraser has been the Third Electoral District representative since 1999. He won the seat as a member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), and has held the positions of Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Communications and Works.
The seasoned politician unsuccessfully led the VIP in the 2015 general election. In 2019, he formed his own political party – Progressive United.
PVIM’s chairman Skelton returns as a territorial at-large candidate this election. He failed in his bid to secure a seat in the house of assembly in 2019.
PVIM was launched in 2018 after Skelton left the NDP following a tumultuous leadership battle. He lost the chairmanship to Myron Walwyn following the then Premier Orlando Smith’s retirement from politics.
The new party only won a single seat in the 2019 general election -Mitch Turnbull in the Second Electoral District. The VIP won seven of the 13 house of assembly seats.
This election, PVIM has a slate of nine candidates. Joining Skelton in the territorial at large race are Stacy “Buddha” Mather, Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe and Shaina Smith-Archer.
The party’s district candidates are: Silvia Romney (First District), Melvin “Mitch” Turnbull (Second District), Ian Smith (Fourth District), Marvin Blyden (Fifth District) and Shereen D. Flax-Charles (Ninth District).
Voters will not be able to vote for a PVIM candidate in three other districts – six, seven and eight.
Advance polling day is April 20, and general election day is April 24.
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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