Elections 2023

THE 1967 ELECTION FACTOR

Published

3 years ago

April 6, 2023

Editor

It was the April 14, 1967 general elections that residents for the first time elected seven district representatives to the British Virgin Islands Legislative Council.

Earlier in the year, a new Constitution introduced a Ministerial Government to the territory, seventeen years after the first recorded modern elections.

Elections under the prior Constitution were introduced in 1950 to restore the Legislative Council after colonial legislatures in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and then a political hiatus.

The 1950 constitution facilitated four elected legislative members, two ex-official members and two nominated members.

Requirements for standing for election included income, property, and a deposit (forfeited with failure to garner a certain percentage of votes). The four members were elected in 1950 on a Territory-wide basis.

Four years later, the existing constitutional provisions were replaced with the Constitution and Elections Ordinance, 1954, which expanded the elected membership to six, divided amongst five district seats with Road Town – the present capital – having two representatives.

Historians agree that it was the 1967 general election that introduced true direct democratic rule in the BVI. The 1967 Constitution expanded the elected membership to seven, with each district having a single representative.

That year, general elections were contested by three newly formed political parties – The British Virgin Islands United Party led by Conrad Maduro; The Virgin Islands Democratic Party, led by Qwominer William Osborne and The People’s Own Party, led by Isaac Fonseca.

Only the BVI United Party contested all seven available seats, while the other two parties only fielded candidates in five districts. A total of 3,500 residents were registered voters.

Voter turnout was 73.2% or 2,557 that year, giving the BVI United Party an overall majority of four seats. But the party’s leader Conrad Maduro was disqualified from becoming Chief Minister because he did not win a seat.

Instead, H. Lavity Stoutt became the territory’s first Chief Minister and first Education Minister.

The VI Democratic Party won two seats and Q.W. Osborne was appointed the territory’s first opposition leader.

The third and final party, the People’s Own Party, won only one seat in the Legislative Council.

Ivan Dawson, despite not being a member of the BVI United Party, was appointed the territory’s first Minister for National Resources and Public Health. Cyril Romney became the first Native BVIslander to act as Financial Secretary of the BVI.

The 1967 Legislative Council is still referred to as the 6th Legislative Council, taking into consideration the five prior Councils elected under the 1950 Constitution.

In 1977, the Elections Ordinance expanded the number of district seats to nine and in 1994, four Territorial At-Large seats were introduced, creating a total of 13 elected members to sit alongside the two ex-officio members – the Speaker and the Attorney General.

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Elections 2023

Hon. Wheatley Introduces Elections Amendment Bill in House of Assembly

Published

21 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Editor

A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.

The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.

“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.

He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.

Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.

The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.

It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.

Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.

The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.

The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.

Elections 2023

Penn Recommended for Leader of the Opposition Following NDP Convention

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

The National Democratic Party (NDP) has recommended Hon. Marlon A. Penn for appointment as Leader of the Opposition following his election as Political Leader of the party, according to a statement issued on April 21.

The recommendation was made by the four elected Opposition members of the House of Assembly after consultation, in accordance with Section 70 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

The party said the recommendation has been formally submitted to His Excellency the Governor, Daniel Pruce, for consideration and appointment.

Penn was elected Political Leader of the NDP during the party’s National Convention held on April 18, 2026.

Under the Constitution, the Governor appoints the Leader of the Opposition from among members of the House of Assembly who command the support of the majority of Opposition members.

In its statement, the NDP said the recommendation reflects the confidence of Opposition members and the party in Penn’s leadership and experience.

“The appointment reflects the confidence of the Opposition Members and the National Democratic Party in the leadership, experience, and commitment of Honourable Penn to effectively represent the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands,” the statement said.

The party said further updates will be provided following formal confirmation of the appointment.

Elections 2023

Penn Dominates Chairman Race While Turnbull Edges Walwyn in Close Contest

Published

3 days ago

April 20, 2026

Editor

The National Democratic Party (NDP) elected a new leadership team during its National Convention on April 18, at Maria’s by the Sea, with Marlon A. Penn, Melvin Mitch Turnbull, Paul A. Hewlett and Andrea Walters among those selected to key positions following a series of contested and uncontested races among 121 delegates.

Penn was elected Chairman after securing 65 votes in a contested race against Mark H. Vanterpool, who received 39 votes, and Ronnie W. Skelton, who received 17 votes, according to official results released by the party.

Turnbull was elected Deputy Chairman with 64 votes, defeating Myron V. Walwyn, who received 57 votes in another closely watched contest.

Hewlett was confirmed as President after running unopposed, while Walters was elected Vice President, defeating Troy Christopher.

Delegates also elected Messena Vanterpool-Pompey as Secretary, Sharnette Chalwell as Assistant Secretary, Eldon Solomon as Treasurer, Cathy-Ann Bascombe as Assistant Treasurer, Dorilyn Edwards as Chaplain, Aaliyah Inniss as Chairperson of the Youth Movement and Lisa Smith as Chairperson of the Women’s Movement.

The convention, which brought together delegates from across the territory, marked a key step for the party as it finalizes its leadership structure ahead of the next general election.

In remarks following his election, Penn said the outcome signaled a new phase for the organization.

“I am profoundly grateful and honoured for the support and confidence vested in me to lead the party into the next general elections,” Penn said. “I honestly believe that today marks a renewed chapter for the National Democratic Party. We are united, focused, and ready to restore confidence in leadership while delivering meaningful results for the people of these Virgin Islands.”

Turnbull, speaking after his election, said the leadership team would prioritize unity and practical solutions.

“Our focus is on unity, rebuilding trust, and advancing practical solutions that improve the lives of the people of these Virgin Islands,” Turnbull said.

The NDP, one of the Virgin Islands’ principal political parties, holds internal conventions to elect officers and set direction as it prepares for national campaigns.