British Virgin Islands general election, 2015
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The British Virgin Islands general election, 2015 is a future election scheduled to be held in the British Virgin Islands during 2015 under the Constitution of the British Virgin Islands. The date has not been fixed, but the House of Assembly was dissolved on 1 May 2015,[1] and so by law the election must occur in either May or June.[2]
Background
Under the Constitution elections are scheduled to be held every four years. Dates for elections are not fixed, and are determined (within the parameters of the Constitution) by the sitting Government. Barring an earlier dissolution of the House of Assembly by the Governor or other constitutional crisis, the election will most likely be held in June 2015.[2] Former Premier, Ralph T. O'Neal, has warned of the possibility of the Government calling a snap election.[3] President of the opposition Virgin Islands Party, Carvin Malone, had predicted an election on 6 or 13 July, 2015.[4]
Former Premier Ralph O'Neal indicated that he would not contest the 2015 election.[3] He is the longest serving politician in the Territory's history, and has held the seat for Virgin Gorda and Anegada (now the 9th district, originally the 7th district) continuously since 1975.
Main parties
The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), led by current Premier Orlando Smith, will seek to defend its majority in the House. If it does so successfully, it will be the first British Virgin Islands political party to win a consecutive term in power in 16 years. Although there had been some speculation in the press that Dr Smith might step down before the election, no public announcement was ever made,[5] and Dr Smith's name appeared on the list of NDP candidates for the election. The main opposition is expected to be provided by the opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP), presently led by former Minister Julian Fraser. The NDP and the VIP have alternated power between them ever election since the 1999 general election.
However, the 2015 may be the first true three party election in the British Virgin Islands since the 1995 general election. In March 2014 a new political party, the People's Empowerment Party (PEP) was launched, led by sitting member of the House, Alvin Christopher.[6] Mr Christopher has held his seat in the second district since 1995.
Candidates
National Democratic Party
On 30 March 2015, the ruling National Democratic Party was the first party to announce its slate of candidates for the election.[7] Curiously three of the NDP's thirteen candidates are doctors (Doctors Smith, Pickering and O'Neal). Barring last minute changes or withdrawals, the following candidates have been put forward to contest the election for the NDP:
| Seat | Candidate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st District | Shaina M. Smith | Former PPA candidate |
| 2nd District | Melvin 'Mitch' Turnbull Jr. | Standing for the first time |
| 3rd District | Kevin 'OJ' Smith | Former NDP candidate |
| 4th District | Mark Vanterpool | Incumbent |
| 5th District | Delores Christopher | Incumbent |
| 6th District | Alvera Maduro-Caines | Incumbent |
| 7th District | Kendrick Pickering | Incumbent, Deputy Premier |
| 8th District | Marlon Penn | Incumbent |
| 9th District | Hubert O'Neal | Former NDP candidate |
| At-large | Orlando Smith | Incumbent, Premier |
| Myron Walwyn | Incumbent, Minister for Education and Culture | |
| Ronnie Skelton | Incumbent, Minister for Health and Social Development | |
| Archibald Christian | Incumbent |
Virgin Islands Party
The Virgin Islands Party named its provisional pool of candidates on 2 April 2015, although in some cases particular candidates were not finalised (or the seat for which they would run had not been finalised) by the party's congress.[4] That list was then updated but still made subject to finalising and confirmation on 29 April 2015.[8]
| Seat | Candidate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st District | Andrew Fahie | Incumbent |
| 2nd District | Unconfirmed | |
| 3rd District | Julian Fraser | Incumbent |
| 4th District | Vincent Scatliffe* (other names are being confirmed) |
Former VIP candidate |
| 5th District | Zoe McMillan | Former VIP candidate |
| 6th District | Elvis 'Juggy' Harrigan | Former representative (2007) |
| 7th District | Oleanvine Maynard | Running for the first time |
| 8th District | McLeod Walters | Running for the first time |
| 9th District | Elton Sprauve[9] | Running for the first time |
| At-large | Four from: Irene Penn O'Neal,[10] Rajah Smith, Milton McClean, Vincent Scatliffe,* Charmaine Rosan Bunbury,[11] Devon Osborne, and Keith Flax.† |
Irene Penn O'Neal and Keith Flax are both former representatives (both 2007). All other candidates other than Vincent O'Neal and Devon Osborne would be running for the first time. |
| * Vincent Scatliffe is presently listed both as potential district candidate and as potential at-large candidates. | ||
| † There has also been speculation that Karl Dawson, President of the HLSCC may run as an at-large candidate for the VIP.[8] | ||
Notable absentees from the Virgin Islands Party candidates list for the 2015 election include a number of former VIP representatives:
- Dancia Penn, former Deputy Premier
- Omar Hodge, former Minister
- Vernon Malone, former at-large representative
People's Empowerment Party
The People's Empowerment Party has indicated that it intends to field a full slate of 13 candidates,[12] and when pressed the party has reaffirmed its commitment to contest all seats, and told the public not to be concerned about delays in announcing nominees,[13] although it has acknowledged that it is having difficulty finding candidates.[14]
To date the only PEP candidate who has been announced is the candidate for the second district. In a surprise move, political newcomer Elford Parsons will contest the second district seat for the PEP.[15] PEP party leader, Alvin Christopher, had held the second district seat since 1995, and was widely expected to run for the same seat again.
Independent candidates
The most significant independent candidate to declare an intention to run so far is Preston Stoutt, son of the late Lavity Stoutt. Preston Stoutt has indicated an intention to contest his father's old seat in the first district.[16] He contested the same seat in the 2011 election, but was unsuccessful.
In the ninth district, two candidates has indicated an intention to run as independents: Albert Wheatley and Rawle Hannibal.[17]
Only one independent candidate has been elected in the British Virgin Islands in the past 20 years (Alvin Christopher).
Campaigning
Even before the election had actually been called there were complaints about the nature of party political media advertisements, and allegations of using smear tactics.[18] There have also been allegations in the press of use of drones to follow candidates and film their movements.[19]
Footnotes
- ↑ "Update: It's Offical - House Of Assembly To Be Dissolved Ahead Of General Elections". BVI Platinum. 30 April 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The election must be conducted not less than 21 days after dissolution, and not more than two months after dissolution. Accordingly, the earliest possible date would be 20 May 2015, and the latest possible date is actually 30 June 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Snap election likely, Opposition Leader warns while announcing he will quit". BVI News. 27 May 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "VIP Predicts July Elections; Names Potential Candidates". BVI Platinum. 2 April 2015.
'I have done some calculations myself. I am going to be bold enough to narrow it down to let's say July 6 or 13,' Mr. Malone disclosed during the VIP's Let's Talk radio programme last evening, April 1.
- ↑ "VI political parties’ chances analysed". BVI Beacon. 21 May 2014.
- ↑ "PEP Launches With No Candidates Declared; Christopher Ready For Premiership". Platinum News. 29 March 2014.
- ↑ "BREAKING NEWS: NDP Takes First Jump; New Candidates Confirmed Following High Level Meeting". BVI Platinum. 30 March 2015.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Dr. Dawson Weighs Future In Politics". BVI Platinum. 30 April 2015.
- ↑ "Elton 'All Out' Sprauve Emerges As Ralph T. O'Neal's Replacement". BVI Platinum. 18 April 2015.
- ↑ Irene Penn O'Neal's potential selection is seen as controversial, as she is presently facing criminal charges relating to gun possession ("VIP Could Face Dilemma; Former Legislator On Gun Charges Named As Potential Candidate". BVI Platinum. 7 April 2015.).
- ↑ Charmaine Rosan Bunbury was a former magistrate who was interdicted, but appeals against her interdiction are ongoing ("Privy Council to hear former magistrate’s claim". BVI Beacon. 1 May 2014.).
- ↑ "PEP going after all 13 seats next election". BVI News. 24 February 2015.
- ↑ "PEP Not Ready To Step Out; Christopher Sees No Need To Panic". BVI Platinum. 8 April 2015.
- ↑ "The voters will decide our fate –PEP". BVI News. 30 April 2015.
- ↑ "Parsons confirmed for Second District, PEP says". BVI News. 29 April 2015.
- ↑ "Preston Stoutt to contest First District as Independent Candidate". The Island Sun. 18 April 2015.
- ↑ "Albert Wheatley to run in Ninth District". BVI News. 30 April 2015.
- ↑ "Evil & Spiteful! Fraser Unleashes On NDP". BVI Platinum. 23 April 2015."Fraser blasts NDP for claims in commercial". BVI News. 23 April 2015.
- ↑ "BREAKING NEWS: Drone Trails Gov't Ministers As 'Dirty Campaign' Takes Flight; Raises National Security, Privacy Questions". BVI Platinum. 27 April 2015.
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