Elections Day is Monday 16 June

His Excellency the Governor Thomas Macan, after consultation with the Chief Minister and the Supervisor of Elections and mindful of the need to meet the timetable laid down in the Elections Act, has announced the date of Monday June 16th for the staging of general elections in the British Virgin Islands.

Chief Minister Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal asked the Governor to dissolve the 14th Legislative Council on Tuesday April 22nd.

Speaking immediately following the release of the date on Monday afternoon, Governor Macan explained that once this was done, he had to hear from the Elections Supervisor in terms of her timetable between then and polling day. "I think the first and most important thing is to encourage everybody out there who is eligible to vote but has not yet registered to please do so as soon as possible," His Excellency urged. "There are a few more days when registration remains fully open; please don't leave it to the last minute (rather) go around to the Office of the Supervisor of Elections and get yourself on the list."

He said equally, all those persons who have moved and now live in a different District from where they were registered, should get themselves transferred and re-registered. He said the Elections Supervisor is aiming to publish the preliminary list by May 9th, after which persons can submit queries, if any, before the list is certified.

As Head of the Civil Service, the Governor had some advice for them. He reminded them that the BVI operates a secret ballot system, which means that no one knows who the other votes for. "I hope people have confidence in that secret ballot."

He said the BVI should be proud of its non-party public service, one ready to serve whichever party wins the elections.

"So, it's very important during the campaign, individuals don't compromise their ability to serve whatever government and that really is all about common sense," according to the Governor. He said that means not getting too involved and not being publicly involved in the campaign.