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No By-Elections! General Elections to be held by April 16, 2019—Gov Jaspert

No By-Elections! General Elections to be held by April 16, 2019—Governor Augustus J. U Jaspert. Photo: VINO/File
Given that the House of Assembly must be dissolved by June 23, 2019, at the latest for the purpose of a General Election, the Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has advised that the Territory should forego a By-Election and avoid having two elections in one year in such a relatively close period. Photo: VINO/File
Given that the House of Assembly must be dissolved by June 23, 2019, at the latest for the purpose of a General Election, the Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has advised that the Territory should forego a By-Election and avoid having two elections in one year in such a relatively close period. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Virgin Islands (VI) will no longer be holding By-Election for the Fifth District, to fill the vacant seat left with the untimely death of Honourable Delores Lettsome-Christopher, but will instead go to General Elections by April 16, 2019.

This was disclosed by Governor Augustus J. U Jaspert, today November 15, 2018, who stated, “I have received legal advice that the holding of a General Election within a period of six months from the date of the death of the member of the Fifth District may be a compromise date between foregoing a By-Election and holding a General Election.”

Careful Consideration

He said, “after careful consideration of this advice, I consider the holding a General Election by 16th April 2019, as a reasonable time frame…I will be advised accordingly in due course on the dates the Premier wishes to dissolve the House and hold an election prior to that date in April.”

Prefacing his decision, Governor Jaspert explained that the VI’s Constitution and the Election Act 1994 and Amendments, do not explicitly prescribe set timescales for by-elections, “this is something I hope we can address in future amendments to the Elections Act.”

He said however, the Attorney General has advised the “Premier and I, drawing on electoral timescales, precedent in the VI and the position of the United Kingdom and other Overseas Territories, on what would be a reasonable timescale to ensure representation for the people of the 5th District.”

Governor Jaspert explained that given that the House of Assembly must be dissolved by June 23, 2019, at the latest for the purpose of a General Election, the Premier, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) “has advised me that the Territory should forego a By-Election and avoid having two elections in one year in such a relatively close period.”

Accept Advice

As such, “I have accepted the Premier’s advice to forego a by-election.”

He said, in deciding to accept this advice, “I considered carefully what would be in the best interests of the VI and the electorate and agreed with the Premier that it would not be in the best interests of the people of the VI to hold both a By-Election followed shortly after by a full General Election next year.” 

11 Responses to “No By-Elections! General Elections to be held by April 16, 2019—Gov Jaspert”

  • Thanks (15/11/2018, 16:45) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now this makes sense.
  • billyb (15/11/2018, 17:08) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    This country done gone to the dogs; so who really cares what happens. Lets just have a free for all country and you will see, the country will run better than it has been in recent years. I vote, "free for all"
    case closed.
  • vex (15/11/2018, 19:49) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Yes the time coming to get rid of the ndp
  • Good Stuff! (15/11/2018, 20:37) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now, this is why we have a Governor!
  • BRAD BOYNES (16/11/2018, 04:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @billyb. ..you sound real freakin stupid as stupid can get. This is my country and I do not appreciate your comments. I'll bet you will never Id yourself only hiding behind a fake name talking shit.
  • wise up (16/11/2018, 06:41) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Don’t be fooled. The governor reports to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is no stranger to preferring NDP ...over the years they just roll over and accept orders. Wonder what pandora box the UK will open again to ensure NDP gets back in. VIP literally is the only hope for this country to avoid going back into slavery days where we all answer to massa instead of liberating and owning our businesses and lands like our ancestors worked so hard to provide us.
  • Bvihead office (16/11/2018, 08:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well NDP y’all did it once again ..y’all fail the country... I hope the governor read this don’t let that wall go on touch and pier park to ... Plzz
  • bad news (16/11/2018, 08:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Governor honestly speaking you need to run the country tell a new party is selected PSA the wall don’t for get bout it
  • GOVERNOR (16/11/2018, 08:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to know bout this wall
  • (16/11/2018, 08:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall What about the wall QTNA.
  • to Gus (16/11/2018, 09:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeahh Gus is on the bus. Did Gus advise the premier or did premier advise Gus. Gus I think you need to take control of the wheel, dissolve the government and run things before the BVI collapse with these set of hounds. Not one of them credible. Not one of them fit. Those who in need to get out and those who out need to stay out


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