Dickson C. Igwe. Photo: VINO/File

Dots must be relevant and enable the building of a narrative or series of narratives that lead to the end conclusion: the outcome. This is done by linking relevant dots together to form a convincing story or narrative.

Dots vary in size and importance. Just like the discovery of a weapon is a huge dot in a murder investigation in terms of forensic evidence, especially if fingerprints are derived from that weapon. Even more so if DNA can be established from that
weapon in deciding who is the murderer. However, that DNA must be in a database for it to be of any use. Unless the suspect is apprehended, and then the DNA used to secure a charge. That series of events is the start of a narrative that is a huge development in an investigation.

One dot that makes the prediction of an election outcome a challenge in the Virgin Islands is the propensity for some politicians to cross that floor and join the opposing party or team during or after an election.

These politicians tend to be independents in that their loyalty to any party is tepid, putting it mildly.

However, as the Virgin Islands Voter is aware, these people are critical to any election outcome. And in past elections, when there is no clear election winner, as in the last election, decide who will form the government.

The price for their support is power. They have the power to make demands and in the rare occasion can even demand the post of national leader: Premier.

Voters must look closely at history. History is where the dots in researching a subject such as politics are located. Past history, although not always valid in the present, offers insight into what or what might not happen.

Various dots, as have been described in previous narratives, point to another close race. The incumbents have a culture of being very disciplined with power, and that has been a strength over the years. The main opposing group have been less 

disciplined with power and more inclined to fight among themselves, and voters have noticed that. There are further factors pointing to a close race, as stated in the previous stories.

Once upon a time, the incumbents had a lock on a number of districts. That is no longer the case. Consequently, the one dot that when linked with others such as the disciplinary dot and past history, that may well decide the outcome of the General Election, is King and Queen Crossover.  

These are folk who have the power to sway the whole election outcome at the drop of a hat. Keep an eye on them.