While no official date has been set for the 2023 General Elections, it is constitutionally due to take place no later than May 12.

The House of Assembly is constitutionally required to be dissolved by March 12, 2023, in advance of a General Election that must be held within 21 days to 2 months later.

According to reports reaching our newsroom, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) is expected to advise the Governor on the dissolution of the HoA on Friday.

It is unclear whether Dr Wheatley will make an announcement on the house being dissolved during today's Fourth Sitting of the 5th Session of the 4th House of Assembly slated for 10:00 AM today.

Assistance Grants Audit Report to be debated.

Meanwhile, the controversial Assistance Grants Audit Report is expected to be laid in the House of Assembly (HoA) and debated today, March 9, 2023.

During the VIP Let’s Talk radio show on ZBVI 780 AM on March 7, 2023, Deputy Premier Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said he is looking forward to the debate.

“We look forward to explaining to the people and letting the people know exactly what took place. We do respect the office of the Auditor General, but it’s always necessary to give a different perspective as to what took place…” Hon Rymer said.

Leaked Report

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG had ordered an inquiry into the leaking of the report, deemed a confidential document, which was made available to Cabinet but was unintended for the public without redactions.

The Audit Report into Public Assistance Grants, which was made between January 2019 and May 2022, was reportedly leaked by a Cabinet member for political expediency and was widely circulated on social media.

The report contained a list of local students studying overseas and locally who received financial support from the Premier’s Office and the Ministry of Education and Culture during this period.

The Governor said prosecution is likely if any criminal offense is found to have occurred, regarding the leaking of the unredacted audit report on Assistance Grants.

16 Bills for HoA

Hon Rymer also said about sixteen important bills are expected to be brought up in today's HoA.

“Also, in the House on Thursday, we have about…sixteen bills that I think are quite important for us to get through. We did the first reading last week on these bills and they are related to the Financial Services industry, and you know, we are going through the assessment at this moment and these are things that would help us get through the assessment.

“We encourage the residents of the Territory to pay keen attention- read the bills and if you have any query reach out to any of the twelve elected officials and state what your concerns would be pertaining to each of these bills and we’ll be able to discuss it on your behalf in the House of Assembly," Hon Rymer reiterated.

The HoA sitting is expected to be aired LIVE on House of Assembly VI Youtube; House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands Facebook; 780 AM ZBVI Radio; CBN-Radio (90.9 FM); FLOW TV Channel 101; and CCT TV Channel 291.