Leader of the Joint Observer Mission Ambassador Rudolph Collins is flanked by Mr Conor Burns, Member of Parliament (MP) and Mr Thomas Docherty MP from Westminster, UK (left). Photo: Reuben Stoby/VINO

The Joint Observer Mission has stated that the VI Elections saw the will of the people being freely and fairly expressed. Photo: VINO

The Joint Observer Team following yesterday's press conference at Treasure Isle. Photo: VINO

Speaking at a press conference at the Treasure Isle Conference Room yesterday November 9, 2011, Leader of the Joint Observer Mission Ambassador Rudolph Collins 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," Ambassador Collins stated.

Collins had also stated that the International Observer Mission was invited by His Excellency Governor Boyd McCleary CMG, CVO to observe the elections and consisted two teams representing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

He said emphasis was placed on observing the arrangements made at the opening and closing of the polls including the security of the ballot boxes, the presence of agents and the procedures that would assure voters regarding the secrecy of their ballots. Every opportunity, Mr. Collins said, was also taken to speak informally to citizens of the VI regarding their views on the electoral process including the extent to which they were aware of the actual voting process and of their rights, duties, and obligations during this period. The Mission also focused its attention on determining whether the Territory’s electoral laws for ensuring the freeness and fairness of the electoral process were being observed and in particular whether there were activities in and around the polling station, which could be considered as being as intimidating or having an impact on a voter’s freedom of choice.

“What we saw was the culmination of a process that provided arithmetic confirmation of the enthusiasm, which the people of the BVI have for the preservation and hopefully the amelioration of their electoral system...We further express the modest hope that our final report will contribute in some way to the territory’s on-going process of national building.”

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.

The Joint Observer Mission has been organised by CARICOM and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) British Islands & Mediterranean Region (BIMR). The role of the Joint Observer Mission was to observe the VI elections and to write a report on its findings.