Dr. Kedrick Pickering at the swearing in ceremony for cabinet members. He was sworn in as Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour. Photo: VINO

The Acting Premier, speaking on NDP Radio on Monday November 21, 2011, praised the people of the Virgin Islands for their good conduct at the polls and said he was motivated to build the Territory.

“I think that we should all be proud of ourselves. One of the observes was so taken aback that there was absolutely no violence, people seemed to be getting along in the lines and chit chatting to each other and there weren’t any signs of anger and discontentment amongst people. I think that augurs well for our future and I am enthused about building this great little nation as we move forward.”

The joint observer mission to the Virgin islands had said the Virgin Islands enjoys an enviable reputation of having a well-run electoral process and just as enviable for having a citizenry that believes in the fairness of that process.

“Such national confidence in the system allows for the free exchange of views that are the hallmark of a democratic process at work”, were the words of the Joint Observer Mission that came to the territory for the 2011 General Elections.

Leader of the Joint Observer Mission Ambassador Rudolph Collins had said the mission concluded that there was nothing untoward- unconstitutional, illegal or otherwise-that took place, which could be construed as having a significant influence on the outcome of the elections.

“We were satisfied with how the entire process was conducted. In the circumstances the Mission wishes to affirm that the will of the people of the British Virgin Islands was fairly and freely expressed in an open democratic process during the national elections 2011.”

The Joint Observer Mission was led by Ambassador Rudolph Collins, former Chairman of the Elections Commissions in Guyana and included Mr. Eugene Petty, former Supervisor of Elections, St Kitts and Nevis, Ms. Mignon Bowen from the CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana, Mr Conor Burns, Member of Parliament (MP) and Mr Thomas Docherty MP from Westminster, UK, Mr Alex Downie OBE Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Isle of Man, and Mr Leon Gallienne, Deputy from Guernsey.