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General elections were held in the British Virgin Islands on 25 February 2019.[1] For the first time, four parties with at least one incumbent member were contesting an election.
The result was a decisive victory for the Virgin Islands Party, which won eight of the 13 elected seats. The ruling National Democratic Party won only three seats, with party leader Myron Walwyn losing his seat.[2] Seven of the thirteen seats were won by candidates contesting an election for the first time, all for the Virgin Islands Party, a territorial record.
The elections were the first in the British Virgin Islands to use electronically tabulated voting rather that manual counts.[3] Voter turnout was 64.64%.
Election monitors reported that they saw "no real evidence of corruption", but highlighted a large influx of voter registrations in Districts 5 and 8 which had been regarded in some quarters as potential attempt to manipulate results.[4]
Background
The House of Assembly normally sits in four-year terms. The Governor must dissolve the House within four years of the date when the House first meets after a general election unless it has been dissolved sooner.[5] Once the House is dissolved a general election must be held after at least 21 days, but not more than two months after the dissolution of the House. The third session of the House of Assembly first met on 23 June 2015,[6] and therefore in the ordinary course of things the latest possible date of the next British Virgin Islands general election would have been one day short of four years and two months after that date, i.e. on 22 August 2019.
However, Delores Christopher, member of the House of Assembly representing the 5th District died on 16 October 2018.[7] There was broad agreement that it was undesirable to hold two elections so close together (a by-election to appoint a new representative for the 5th District, followed by a general election). Accordingly, after taking legal advice and consulting with the Premier Orlando Smith the Governor, Augustus Jaspert, advised that it had been agreed that no separate by-election should be held, and the election would be held on or before 16 April 2019.[8]
The House of Assembly was dissolved on 23 January 2019 and an election date was immediately announced for 25 February 2019.[1]
Electoral system
The House of Assembly has a total of 15 members, 13 of whom are members elected by the public to serve a four-year term, plus two ex-officio non-voting members: the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House. Of the 13 elected members, nine are elected via first-past-the-post voting to represent territorial district seats, and four are elected on a territory-wide "at-large" basis via plurality block voting.
New leaders and new parties
Both of the main political parties which had contested the prior election had leadership contests, and in both cases the person who lost the leadership contest left to form their own party. Accordingly, in the 2019 election, there were an unprecedented four different political parties with at least one sitting member contesting the general election.
National Democratic Party
In June 2018 the Premier and leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Orlando Smith indicated he would be stepping down and not contesting the next general election.[9] In the subsequent leadership contest the party chose Education Minister Myron Walwyn to lead the party into the next election.[10]
In the wake of Dr Smith's announced retirement, rumours of splits within the ruling National Democratic Party began to circulate almost immediately.[11] Eventually Ronnie Skelton, runner up in the leadership contest, left to form his own political party,[12] named the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM).[13][14]
Deputy Premier, Kedrick Pickering, also left the party to run as an independent.[15]
Second District Representative Melvin "Mitch" Turnbull also left the NDP to join Skelton,[16] as did at-large representative, Archie Christian.[17] Certain media houses began to sarcastically refer to the PVIM as "NDP 2".[18]
Virgin Islands Party
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) also had a leadership contest, and the sitting leader, Julian Fraser, was ousted by the challenger, Andrew Fahie. Fraser subsequently announced he would leave the VIP and set up his own party, which he called Progressives United (PU).[19][20]
Controversies
Myron Walwyn Eligibility Issue
In the run up to the election there were repeated suggestions in the press that Myron Walwyn was not eligible for election to the House of Assembly because his parents are not from the BVI. His father is from Nevis and his mother is from Antigua.[21][22] Leader of the opposition Virgin Islands Party, Andrew Fahie, distanced himself from questions about Walwyn's eligibility.[23]
Speaker of the House Issue
Some controversy arose when leaked lists of candidates suggested that the speaker of the House, Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe, was to stand as an NDP candidate.[24] A number of public figures, the most prominent being Deputy Premier Kedrick Pickering, expressed concern at her being held out as a candidate for a political party whilst occupying the position of Speaker of the House.[25] Ms Moses-Scatliffe refused to confirm or deny that she would be a candidate for the NDP, and the Attorney General rendered an opinion indicating that even if she were, this would not legally preclude her from acting as Speaker of the House in the interim. Ultimately she was not named as a candidate.
Results
 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | District | At-large | Total seats | +/– | |||||
| Votes | % | Seats | Votes | % | Seats | ||||
| Virgin Islands Party | 4,855 | 50.30 | 4 | 17,441 | 45.60 | 4 | 8 | 6 | |
| National Democratic Party | 2,701 | 27.98 | 3 | 10,798 | 28.23 | 0 | 3 | –8 | |
| Progressive Virgin Islands Movement | 1,188 | 12.31 | 1 | 7,126 | 18.63 | 0 | 1 | New | |
| Progressives United | 571 | 5.92 | 1 | 1,279 | 3.34 | 0 | 1 | New | |
| Independents | 338 | 3.50 | 0 | 1,607 | 4.20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Speaker and Attorney General | 2 | 0 | |||||||
| Total | 9,653 | 100.00 | 9 | 38,251 | 100.00 | 4 | 15 | 0 | |
| Valid votes | 9,653 | 99.31 | 38,251 | 98.38 | |||||
| Invalid/blank votes | 67 | 0.69 | 629 | 1.62 | |||||
| Total votes | 9,720 | 100.00 | 38,880 | 100.00 | |||||
| Registered voters/turnout | 15,038 | 64.64 | |||||||
| Source: Election Centre | |||||||||
Territorial seats
Winning candidates are highlighted in blue.[2] Previously incumbent candidates are marked in bold.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Fahie | VIP | 742 | 81.45% |
| Sylvia Moses | PVIM | 141 | 15.48% |
| Stephanie Brewley | PU | 28 | 3.07% |
| Rejected | 5 | ||
| Total | 916 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 60.38% | |||
Incumbent Andrew Fahie (VIP) easily won his sixth consecutive election over his two challengers each contesting their first. District 1 had the lowest turnout of any district with 60.38% of voters participating. Fahie's victory was the highest in terms of margin of votes (601) and the percentage of votes cast (81.45%).
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melvin Turnbull Jr. | PVIM | 550 | 54.19% |
| Carnel Clyne | VIP | 465 | 45.81% |
| Rejected | 9 | ||
| Total | 1,024 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 65.14% | |||
Incumbent Melvin Turnbull retained his seat after switching parties to join the PVIM, defeating political newcomer Carnel Clyne (VIP).
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Fraser | PU | 519 | 47.10% |
| Aaron Parillon | NDP | 294 | 26.68% |
| Arlene Smith-Thompson | VIP | 289 | 26.22% |
| Rejected | 4 | ||
| Total | 1,106 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 64.79% | |||
Incumbent Julian Fraser won his sixth election but his first as the leader of the PU after leaving the VIP. He has never lost an election in his 3rd district stronghold. His opponents, Aaron Parillon (NDP) and Arlene Smith-Thompson (VIP) were each contesting their first election.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Vanterpool | NDP | 442 | 49.72% |
| Luce Hodge-Smith | VIP | 385 | 43.31% |
| Carl Scatliffe | PVIM | 38 | 4.27% |
| Vincent Scatliffe | PU | 24 | 2.70% |
| Rejected | 12 | ||
| Total | 901 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 66.59% | |||
Incumbent Mark Vanterpool (NDP) won his fifth election in six contests, narrowly holding off newcomer Luce Hodge-Smith. District 4 had the highest proportion of spoiled ballots of any district.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kye Rymer | VIP | 638 | 51.53% |
| Wade Smith | PVIM | 396 | 31.99% |
| Elvis Harrigan | NDP | 204 | 16.48% |
| Rejected | 13 | ||
| Total | 1,251 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 63.57% | |||
Incumbent Delores Christopher died prior to the election leaving the seat vacant. Newcomer Kye Rymer (VIP) overcame fellow newcomer Wade Smith (PVIM) and political veteran Elvis "Juggy" Harrigan (NDP), who was contesting his fifth election (including once as an at-large candidate).
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvera Maduro-Caines | NDP | 575 | 51.85% |
| John Samuel | VIP | 534 | 48.15% |
| Rejected | 10 | ||
| Total | 1,119 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 61.72% | |||
Incumbent Alvera Maduro-Caines (NDP) won her third consecutive election narrowly defeating newcomer John Samuel (VIP). Less than a year after the election Maduro-Caines would "cross the floor" to join the VIP.[26]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natalio Wheatley | VIP | 384 | 44.76% |
| Kedrick Pickering | Independent | 338 | 39.39% |
| Hipolito Penn | NDP | 136 | 15.85% |
| Rejected | 8 | ||
| Total | 866 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 62.53% | |||
Incumbent Kedrick Pickering running as an independent in his fifth election, having won his previous four contests, lost to Natalio Wheatley who was contesting his third-ever general election for a third different party. The same seat was formerly held by Wheatley's grandfather, former Chief Minister, Willard Wheatley.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlon Penn | NDP | 726 | 57.94% |
| Dean Fahie | VIP | 527 | 42.06% |
| Rejected | 4 | ||
| Total | 1,257 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 70.74% | |||
Marlon Penn (NDP) won his third consecutive contest, comfortably defeating Dean Fahie (VIP) who was standing for election for the first time.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Wheatley | VIP | 891 | 69.72% |
| Hubert O'Neal | NDP | 324 | 25.35% |
| Jose DeCastro | PVIM | 63 | 4.93% |
| Rejected | 2 | ||
| Total | 1,280 | 100.00% | |
| Turnout: 71.03% | |||
Political newcomer Vincent Wheatley (VIP) easily defeated incumbent Hubert O'Neal (NDP) who was contesting his seventh general election (having won only once previously, in 2015). District 9 had the highest turnout of any district with 71.03% of voters participating. Wheatley's 891 votes were the highest total of any district candidate.
At-large seats
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharie de Castro | VIP | 4,778 | 12.49% |
| Neville Smith | VIP | 4,694 | 12.27% |
| Shereen Flax-Charles | VIP | 4,033 | 10.54% |
| Carvin Malone | VIP | 3,936 | 10.29% |
| Myron Walwyn | NDP | 3,335 | 8.72% |
| Henry Creque | NDP | 2,799 | 7.32% |
| Ronnie Skelton | PVIM | 2,639 | 6.90% |
| Sandy Underhill | NDP | 2,418 | 6.32% |
| Trefor Grant | NDP | 2,246 | 5.87% |
| Shaina Smith | PVIM | 1,805 | 4.72% |
| Curnal Fahie | PVIM | 1,619 | 4.23% |
| Dancia Penn | Independent | 1,607 | 4.20% |
| Lesmore Smith | PVIM | 1,063 | 2.78% |
| Dirk Walters | PU | 769 | 2.01% |
| Verna Smith | PU | 278 | 0.73% |
| Rajah Smith | PU | 232 | 0.61% |
| Rejected | 629 | ||
| Total: | 38,880 | 100.00% | |
The VIP candidates won all four of the at-large seats. Each of them other than Sharie DeCastro (contesting her second election, after being unsuccessful in 2015), were standing for election for the first time.
Incumbents Myron Walwyn and Ronnie Skelton were not returned (the two other previous incumbents, Orlando Smith and Archie Christian, did not run).
Pre-election polling
Although no formal or scientific polls were conducted in the Territory, an unofficial online poll was conducted by VI Platinum News which suggested that a majority of voters prefer the Virgin Islands Party, and a plurality of voters prefer Andrew Fahie as leader.[27] However the highly fragmented outcome of the polling (which does not include independents) pointed to the possibility of a coalition government.
| Party | Votes | %age | Leader | Votes | %age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP | 1,518 | 51.7% | Andrew Fahie | 1,485 | 47.8% |
| NDP | 831 | 28.3% | Myron Walwyn | 896 | 28.8% |
| PVIM | 485 | 16.5% | Ronnie Skelton | 557 | 17.9% |
| PU | 101 | 3.5% | Julian Fraser | 169 | 5.4% |
| Total: | 2,935 | 100.0% | Total: | 3,107 | 100.0% |
Although unscientific, previous polls have correctly predicted the outcome of past elections.[27] In this election the final results were also relatively similar to the informal advance polls, each party polling within 2.5% (the normal margin of error on a scientific poll) of the predicted result.
Manifestos
Myriad political promises were made and publicised by each party. Manifestos for each political party were launched before the election date of 25 February 2019 as follows:[28]
- The National Democratic Party (NDP) launched their election manifesto Manifesto 2019: Better, Stronger Together on Friday 15 February 2019.
- The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) launched their election manifesto Restoring Hope & Prosperity for All: Virgin Islands Party Manifesto 2019 on Tuesday 19 February 2019.
- The Progressive Virgin Islands Movement (PVIM) launched their Business Plan of the People of the Virgin Islands[29] by Friday 18 January 2019.
- Progressives United (PU) launched Our Vision.
- NDP. Promised to increase scholarships for Virgin Islands to include postgraduate studies,[30] and to make $10 million available to support local businesses.[31]
- PVIM. Promised to cut tax by increasing the tax free allowance on payroll taxes from $10,000 to $15,000 and promised to introduce a bonus scheme for public sector employees.[32] They also suggested legalising gambling.[33]
- PU. Promised free legal services, elderly healthcare and free school lunches, as well as pledging to give $1,000,000 a year to research into chronic diseases.[34] Also pledged to introduce "American black history" into school curriculum.[35]
- VIP. Promised to introduce 'district councils', reduce the need for imported labour and introduce whistleblower laws.[36] They also advocated laws mandating the purchase of local foods before importing food from overseas, and providing subsidies for farmers.[37]
Government
As the leader of the party with a majority, Andrew Fahie was appointed Premier and invited to form a government.
In appointing his Cabinet, Fahie reshuffled various ministerial portfolios from the traditional division of responsibilities. Unusually, every member of Cabinet except for Fahie himself is a political newcomer entering the House of Assembly for the first time.
| Office | Members | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premier | Andrew Fahie | Minister of Finance |
| Governor | Augustus Jaspert | |
| Ministers | Carvin Malone | Ministry of Telecommunications, Health & Welfare |
| Natalio Wheatley | Ministry of Education, Culture, Agriculture, Fisheries, Sports & Youth Affairs | |
| Kye Rymer | Minister of Transportation, Works & Utilities | |
| Vincent Wheatley | Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour & Immigration | |
| Attorney General | Baba Aziz | Ex-officio, non-voting |
| Cabinet Secretary | Sandra Ward |
In addition, Shereen Flax-Charles was appointed a junior minister for tourism.
Subsequent events
Following the shock defeat of Myron Walwyn, Marlon Penn was appointed Leader of the Opposition.[39] After initially prevaricating, Walwyn confirmed that he would not be quitting politics.[40]
As is customary, the opposition pledged to work with the new government.[41]
Eight days after the election, the successful District 4 candidate and former Cabinet Minister, Mark Vanterpool shocked the country by announcing he was resigning from politics and stepping down from his seat.[42] He subsequently withdrew his resignation and alleged it was invalid as it was sent to the Cabinet Secretary and not the Speaker of the House as required by the Constitution.[43] The Speaker has insisted that the seat is vacant, but in subsequent legal proceedings the court eventually ruled in favour of Mr Vanterpool.[44]
References
- 1 2 "Election day February 25!". BVI News. 23 January 2019.
- 1 2 "Election results, VIP wins! Walwyn not elected". BVI News. 25 February 2019.
- ↑ Claire Shefchik (5 October 2018). "E-voting to be used in next election". BVI Beacon.
- ↑ "Voters relocated, flocked select districts to 'manipulate' results, Election Observers suspect". BVI News. 28 February 2019.
- ↑ "Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007, article 84(3)" (PDF). Government of the Virgin Islands. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ↑ "Official Swearing-In Of House Of Assembly Speaker And Members". Government of the Virgin Islands. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ↑ "Delores Christopher Passes Away". BVI Platinum. 16 October 2018. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- ↑ "Statement by His Excellency the Governor on Election in the Virgin Islands". Government of the Virgin Islands. 15 November 2018.
- ↑ "Premier not seeking re-election as NDP leader". BVI News. 19 June 2018.
- ↑ "Walwyn elected as NDP leader, Penn new party VP". BVI News. 23 June 2018.
- ↑ "An NDP in pieces". BVI News. 5 November 2018.
- ↑ "Skelton Begins Recruiting For New Party". BVI Platinum. 2 October 2018.
- ↑ "Facts about the so-called Skelton political party". BVI News. 13 November 2018.
- ↑ "By-Elections? Fifth district told to register, party's recruit candidates". BVI News. 13 November 2018.
- ↑ "Pickering running independent? Launches campaign February 12". BVI News. 1 February 2019.
- ↑ "Mitch Resigns From Gov't". BVI Platinum. 16 November 2018.
- ↑ "Christian Is With Skelton; Intends To Remain Junior Minister". BVI Platinum. 15 November 2018.
- ↑ "PVIM-NDP 2 launches Wade N. Smith for District 5". Virgin Islands News Online. 12 January 2019.
- ↑ "Hon Julian Fraser launches new party: 'Progressives United'". Virgin Islands News Online. 24 August 2018.
- ↑ "Fraser's Party Officially Registered". BVI Platinum. 20 November 2018.
- ↑ "'Unfortunate' : Walwyn responds to eligibility witch-hunt". BVI News. 19 July 2018.
- ↑ "Group of citizens hire Attorney to challenge election qualifications". Virgin Islands News Online. 31 July 2018.
- ↑ "Walwyn's Eligibility Is An NDP Fight, Not VIP--Fahie". BVI Platinum. 4 July 2018.
- ↑ "Are these the NDP's pick for elections?". BVI News. 14 September 2018.
- ↑ "Pickering Outs Speaker Over NDP Candidacy; "It's An Abuse"". BVI Platinum. 20 September 2018.
- ↑ "Alvera Maduro-Caines joins the VIP! Fahie is a productive leader". BVI News. 20 January 2020.
- 1 2 "Andrew Fahie, VIP Favoured--Poll". BVI Platinum. 4 February 2019.
- ↑ "British Virgin Islands Political Party Manifestos". Caribbean Elections. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
- ↑ "PVIM releases 'business plan' for VI". 18 January 2019.
- ↑ "Locals will get scholarships for masters degrees, PhDs under my administration". BVI News. 15 January 2019.
- ↑ "$10M To Help Local Businesses—Walwyn Promises". BVI Platinum. 22 January 2019.
- ↑ "PVIM Promises Bonus & Increased Tax Break". BVI Platinum. 12 January 2019. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ↑ "Underground gambling booming: PVIM proposes gaming zone to boost visitor nightlife". BVI News. 29 January 2019.
- ↑ "Progressive plans: Free legal services, elderly healthcare, lunches under Fraser regime". BVI News. 12 January 2019.
- ↑ "I Will Add American Black History To Curriculum". BVI Platinum. 22 January 2019.
- ↑ "VIP promises 'district councils', reduced imported labour, whistleblowing law". BVI News. 17 January 2019.
- ↑ "Fahie Promises Legislation To Boost Local Food Production". BVI Platinum. 28 January 2019.
- ↑ "Ministers unofficially announced, restructure of gov't reported". BVI News. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ↑ "Marlon Penn sworn in as Opposition Leader". BVI News. 28 February 2019.
- ↑ "I Am Not Quitting". BVI Platinum. 2 March 2019.
- ↑ "New NDP Opposition Makes Call For Peace With VIP". BVI Platinum. 4 March 2019.
- ↑ "Mark Vanterpool Retires!". BVI Platinum. 5 March 2019.
- ↑ "Resignation letter was invalid, I'm coming out of retirement for the people". BVI News. 14 March 2019.
- ↑ "Court saw Willock's bias, says Vanterpool on D4 victory". BVI News. 2 May 2019.