Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

By-Election by December/January to fill 5D seat

-NDP too divided, weak & in disarray to call General Elections
With the death of Honourable Delores Lettsome-Christopher, the former Representative for District Five, her seat is now left vacant and the Opposition Virgin Islands Party has confirmed Mr Kye M. Rymer to run in District 5. Photo: VINO/File
Former Legislator, Elvis J. Harrigan (left) and Comptroller of Customs, Mr Wade N. Smith. Photo: VINO/File
Former Legislator, Elvis J. Harrigan (left) and Comptroller of Customs, Mr Wade N. Smith. Photo: VINO/File
Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (Right) and Health and Social Development, Minister Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (Left ). Photo: VINO/File
Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (Right) and Health and Social Development, Minister Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (Left ). Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - With the death on October 16, 2018, of cultural icon and fighter for the people, Honourable Delores Lettsome-Christopher, the former Representative for District Five, her seat is now left vacant.

Legal experts say the 2007 Constitutional Order itself, does not deal with by-elections, the matter arises under the Election Act, 1994.

The 2007 Constitution only deals with vacancies, and it is believed that the British Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands’ (VI) process, is somewhat different from the United Kingdom (UK).

In reading Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 23rd Edition, there is a specific process outlined when a member of the UK House of Commons dies in office.

There is no similar provision under the VI Constitutional Order or the Standing Orders.

In fact, the only provision under the Constitution that would allow for a vacancy upon death, is under Section 67 (3)(B) by virtue of being absent for a period prescribed by the Standing Orders.

By virtue of Standing Order 84 (2), the period is Three consecutive sittings in any one session, without leave of the Speaker.

By-Election is law?

Therefore, after the next three consecutive sittings, (there has been two consecutive Sitting since the late legislator’s passing), the seat for District Five becomes vacant and the Election Act, 1994, then kicks in.

It would then require a Writ of Election to be issued, by the Election Office.

With the untimely demise of Hon Lettsome-Christopher, a dead person is not qualified for election and as a result, section 67(3)(C) kicks in, so that upon proof of death, her seat will automatically become vacant.

Word from senior National Democratic Party (NDP) sources is that a by-election is being discussed for December of this year or by January 2019. 

Many political observers were hoping that the wounded NDP would have gone to a General Election, which they must hold before August of 2019.

However, if they call a by-election, it could also signal the formal breakup of the NDP that has been in a state of confusion since Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), became the party’s ‘Boss.’  

Health and Social Development, Minister Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL ), who lost his bid for party Chairman,  is in discussions and planning sessions about his own party and wish not to be led by Hon Walwyn, who is now the Co-Leader of government business in the House of Assembly (HoA).

Front runner in the 5th?

It means that in a by-election for the D5 seat, the Walwyn wing will put up a Candidate in the 5th, believed to be former Legislator,  Elvis J. Harrigan and Hon Skelton, with his new breakaway group Virgin Islands Alliance (VIA), will allegedly  put up Comptroller of Customs Mr Wade N. Smith.

While the two names Harrigan and Smith are just speculations, the Opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has confirmed Mr Kye M. Rymer to run in District 5.

It is unclear, if the break away group from the VIP headed by Honourable Julian Fraser RA (D3), will add a Candidate.

His group is called Progressives United (PU).

There is also talk of the return of the United Party, as well as independent  Candidates expected to compete in the District Five, by-elections.

With the Smith-led Administration in disarray, and now burdened with the label of the most corrupt government in the history of the VI, many are awaiting to see how a by-elections will unfold.

12 Responses to “By-Election by December/January to fill 5D seat ”

  • Political Observer (PO) (24/10/2018, 14:23) Like (46) Dislike (2) Reply
    A general election is constitutionally due no later than next summer so why used resources to fund a bye election? The NDP has an 11-2 advantage in the HOA so the D-5 vacancy will not impact its ability to govern. Similarly, maintaining the D-5 will not give the opposition an advantage in the HOA. Further, there is not a high probability that the NDP candidate will be victorious in the bye election so a bye election may be not give an NDP incumbent the advanatage in the general election. As such, keep the D-5 seat vacant. Furthermmore, call an election now and let the people vote. There is much to be done and the sooner the next government get started the better off the territory will be.
    • Democracy (24/10/2018, 16:32) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
      D5 has not & still doesn't have any representation in the HOA.
      • po (25/10/2018, 09:12) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
        Where are the 4 At Large representatives: Dr. Hon Premier D. Orlando Smith, Hon M. Walwyn, Hon R. Skelton and Hon A. Christian. What is the value of At Large members in improving representation around the territory. If they contribute little, perhaps the system needs to go. 13 elected members for a tiny, likle 59 square mile dot in the Caribbean Sea; too many reps. Some districts can be merged, ie, East End/Long Look. To balance districts, some of EE/LL, the most populous area in the territory, can be shifted to other district.
        • OKAY PO (25/10/2018, 16:24) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
          @PO LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL. Welcome to small societies did you dream that up by yourself.
  • Jaigon (24/10/2018, 15:46) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    Am in total agreement. No need for a by-election on the heels of a General election. As to Joggy, he is just a political puppet, he does not belong in the HOA, please keep him out.
  • Street reporter (24/10/2018, 15:57) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply
    Ronnie and Kedrick Will decide the date of the next election.. As soon as they get rid of Myron.. I heard They are behind the scenes working to unseat Myron.. In any case Doc will accommodate Ronnie and Kedrick.
  • Level Up (24/10/2018, 16:00) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    The NDP will appoint a Caretaker Representative for D-5 in the interim until the general election is announced.
  • biker (24/10/2018, 19:20) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    A vote of no-confidence in the HOA before next August is more likely than a by-election.
  • smh (24/10/2018, 22:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Great article.
  • Music (25/10/2018, 06:30) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Surely all the at large members represent D5?.
  • Ej (25/10/2018, 18:50) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    I never even knew D5 had a representative and I live in said district.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.