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Hon Fraser gets his wish! Election observers coming!

- Hon Julian Fraser RA said viciousness of elections cycle means nothing can be left to chance
Following vocal calls from Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA demanded that there be international observers present for the June 8, 2015 elections, Governor of the territory His Excellency John S. Duncan has announced that an observer team will be coming. Photo: VINO/File
Election Day in the Virgin Islands is June 8, 2015. The process will be observed by an international observer team. Photo: cmc.rodparsley.com
Election Day in the Virgin Islands is June 8, 2015. The process will be observed by an international observer team. Photo: cmc.rodparsley.com
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following vocal calls from Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) and Representative for the Third District Honourable Julian Fraser RA for international observers to be present for the June 8, 2015 elections, Governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency John S. Duncan has announced that an observer team will be coming.

Speaking at the campaign launch of Virgin Islands Party candidate for the Eighth District McLloyd O. Walters in Parham Town, East End on May 19, 2015, Hon Fraser said “One thing I want to make clear, and I think there is enough time for it to happen with elections being on June 8, they better have observers here on this territory fast. I take nothing to chance.”

The Governor's Office has since released a statement via Government Informaton Service (GIS) that the VI will receive a team of election observers for the 2015 General Elections.

It said too that the Election Observation Mission (EOM) is being arranged by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR) and that the role of the Observer Mission will be to observe the VI elections and to write a report on its findings.

The statement claimed that the Governor after consultation with Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE upon the dissolution of the House of Assembly, the Governor was pleased to confirm that an international election observer mission will visit the VI. It said this is a continuing step in promoting transparency and accountability, encouraging good practice, as well as increasing public confidence in the electoral process.

The Governor continued, “I believe that the arrangements which have been put in place for the forthcoming elections in the Virgin Islands are robust and consistent with both the Constitution and the Election Law, and that the elections will be free and fair.” He said that the presence of election observers is one way to validate this.

“Having impartial, experienced observers from an internationally recognised organisation enables us to exchange good practice and maintain the high standards for democracy in the territory,” the statement quotes the Governor as saying.

It said the EOM will consist of a total of six observers and will be in the Territory from May 30 to June 10, 2015. It added that one will be a parliamentarian from the British Islands and Mediterranean region of the CPA. The other observers will be from the Caribbean and Americas region. The Mission will be supported by two Election Analysts and an Election Coordinator, all of whom will also act as observers.

Hon Fraser welcomes decision

Reacting to the Governor’s announcement, Honourable Fraser told this news site today, “I would like to say I welcome the decision to bring in international observers.”

Honourable Fraser said there was a time in the past when international observers were not necessary. “But our elections cycle has become so vicious that we can ill afford to leave anything to chance,” he said, adding that the observers coming will put persons on their guard to make sure “that we do everything right".

He said that he, along with others, were not too pleased with the procedures which were taken during the last elections even though they accepted them. “We do think that things could have been done differently, even though the results might have been the same,” he said.

Honourable Fraser said he wants the international community to credit the territory with good performance dealing with the election process.

Efforts to reach Governor John S. Duncan for a comment proved futile.

19 Responses to “Hon Fraser gets his wish! Election observers coming!”

  • Nothing new (20/05/2015, 14:35) Like (28) Dislike (6) Reply
    The observers were here four years ago also
  • long look me come from (20/05/2015, 14:49) Like (14) Dislike (38) Reply
    See only Fraser will command the respect of the British government
  • Kim (20/05/2015, 15:13) Like (14) Dislike (42) Reply
    HON FRASER THE LORD IS WITH YOU CONTINUE TO PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR THEM THAT SAY EVIL AND MEAN THINGS ABOUT YOU YOU ARE A CHILD OF gOD REMEMBER YOUR MOTHER;S WORD YOU ARE DESTINED FOR GREAT THINGS THE GOV KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING TIME WILL TELL THEY THINK THAT THEY CAN HANDLE THE GOV ALL THE TIME FRASER STAND STRONG MORE LIES AND THINGS IS GOING TO COME OUT ELECTION TIME AND AFTER ELECTION NEVERMIND HE CAL YOU A LIAR YOU WILL SEE WHO WAS TELLING LIES PREMIER HOW CAN YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT WHEN TTTHE WEIGHT OF THE COUNTRY IS ON YOUR BACK AND YOU ADDING MORE TO IT rONNIE WILL SOON LEASVE YOUR PARTY AND PICO WILL LEAVE TOO IF MYRON GETS PREMIER SO TELL THE TRUTH AND IT WILL SET YOU FREEssEVENTH DAY PRINCIPLES
  • Schups (20/05/2015, 15:18) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    Observers are here every election. Fraser knows this as well.
  • David (20/05/2015, 15:39) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    Looks like the Guv has concerns over possible shenanigans by both NDP and VIP. Good thing. We need to ensure a fair election.
    • sleeping (20/05/2015, 18:04) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      all you have to be sleeping every election they are here so wake up sleepy heads frazer looking attention
  • STRONGHOLD! (20/05/2015, 15:43) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    He still trying to fool those who will be fooled and for sure that number is great! so sad
  • Doctor (20/05/2015, 16:09) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Will they be checking for dead voters?
  • voter (20/05/2015, 17:04) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    Lol! like how I wish for the sun to rise in the morning. Observers came last election. duh!
  • One more (20/05/2015, 19:10) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    NDP needs another term another chance to finish all the things they are doing. I would like to see VIP win 3 more seat have a more balance house 8--5. also to send a message to NDP that we are watching so they better deliver.
  • open wide (20/05/2015, 20:09) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    A vote for the ndp is a vote for the uk to take over the bvi
  • Different (20/05/2015, 21:21) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    We Will need them in the 7th district for sure---we are going to send that do nothing Minister home--Sorry-- that do plenty for a few and nothing for most---One Good thing about him, he shows up to his medical practice daily. Vote OLIVINE--try something new and different---Something new and different will happened in the district.
  • Trusted Credentials (21/05/2015, 04:43) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    "That we do everything right"
    It had a man in immigration doing" everygbing right" but he was removed. So whats right go do?
  • Young peeps (21/05/2015, 07:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope BVI Voters give this young lady a chance---the world can see and hear the BVI has elected a 24 year old. How nice that would be---she is brilliant--she is the future; If she gets in I will be so, so happy--Vote whoever else you all want---give young people a chance--Ms. de castro is a special young person.
  • facts man (21/05/2015, 07:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hats off to fraser the liberator
  • Jane (21/05/2015, 07:56) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    fRASER DO NOT MIND NO BODY THE GOVERNOR PUT A SPOKE IN THE ndp WHEEL AND THARE ARE MORE SPOKES TO COME THEM THINK THEM SMART BUT THEY WILL SEE ndp NEEDS TO GO THEY ARE NOT NICE PEOPLE YOU WILL SOON SEE THE MARK OF THE BEAST READ YOUR BIBLE AND PEOPLE DONOT TAKE THINGS LIGHTLY ndP COMMING NEXT WITH THE MARK OF THE BEASR i MEAN mark wILL INTRODUCE THE mark of the beast and the chip pLEASE PRAY AND HOPE THEY DO NOT GET BACK IN.


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