General Election in the Virgin Islands is constitutionally due in 2023.

Despite Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) dismissing the notion of snap elections, it has not stopped persons from speculating that it is a possibility.

The speculations have been further fueled with the Supervisor of Elections informing the public via a Government press release on Monday, September 27, 2021, that the Revised Voters’ List was being published on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in accordance with section 23 (1) of the Elections Act, 1994 and Amendments.

Opposition Leader Marlon A. Penn (R8) recently announced he is ready to be Premier, suggesting he may be anticipating either a snap election or early elections.

Opposition Leader ready to be Premier!

Recently, Opposition Leader Marlon A. Penn (R8) announced that he is ready to be Premier, suggesting he may be anticipating either a snap election or early elections.

“I am not going to be a dictator or a one-man show; my focus is how to get the people involved in the movement of this country…

“This community has prepared me. I have been in every role, I have been a backbencher, I have been a Junior Minister, I have been a Minister, the Leader of the Opposition now, but most of all, I have been a citizen of this community. I have seen how this community has been built from the ground up by the blood, sweat and tears of the people of this community, and I believe that for us to move forward, the people has to be the first in the process of moving this country forward,” Hon Penn stated at a community meeting at Willard Wheatley Primary School on September 9, 2021.

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said his government has no intentions of calling a snap election.

No intentions of snap elections- Premier

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie during the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) radio programme on September 21, 2021, said talks of a snap election have likely been initiated by persons seeking to do mischief.

“I want to let the people of the Virgin Islands to know that we have no intention of doing any snap election.

“I am totally flabbergasted that persons would be working along with others to bring on the notion of some snap election. As Premier of the territory I do not know anything about snap election. I know that there are those who will work overtime to see if they can remove me as Premier or remove this government from office, but if that’s not God’s will, I don’t envy their task,” Premier Fahie had stated.

What does the Elections Act say?

According to the Government press release the Elections Act states the following:

(2) The copies published under subsection (1) shall be deemed to be the Registers of Voters for the local electoral district to which they refer and shall be used for a General Election of members of the House of Assembly and for any other Election to fill a vacancy in the seat of the member of the House of Assembly representing the relevant district.

(3) The current Register of Voters for all local electoral districts shall constitute the Register of Voters for the Territorial Electoral District and shall be used for all Elections for members of the House of Assembly to represent that district.

The press release informed that the revised list can be accessed on the Government’s website at www.bvi.gov.vg/elections.

For further information, persons can also contact the Office of the Supervisor of Elections at 284-468-4380 or 284-468-3701 Ext. 4380 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or visit the office located at Creque's Building, #216 Upper Main Street, Road Town.