Elections Act

The Elections Act provides the legal framework for conducting elections in the Virgin Islands.

The Act covers important areas of the electoral process, including:

• the registration of voters;
• electoral districts and polling divisions;
• the duties and responsibilities of the Supervisor of Elections and other election officers;
• the preparation and maintenance of the Register of Voters;
• transferring a voter’s registration when they move;
• claims and objections relating to the voters list;
• voter registration cards;
• the nomination of candidates;
• polling stations and voting procedures;
• advance polling;
• the counting of votes and declaration of election results;
• election petitions and challenges;
• election offences, including bribery, treating, undue influence and personation; and
• the protection of the secrecy of the ballot.

The Act also contains schedules setting out the electoral districts and the official forms used for different parts of the election process.

The Act provides for eligible persons to apply to the Supervisor of Elections to be registered as voters. It also establishes procedures for preparing preliminary voters lists, correcting information, making claims or objections and producing the official Register of Voters.

Registered voters who move from one electoral district or polling division to another may apply to have their registration transferred.

The Act establishes procedures for the administration of elections, including:

• issuing election writs;
• nominating candidates;
• establishing polling stations;
• appointing presiding officers and poll clerks;
• issuing and handling ballot papers;
• conducting ordinary and advance polls;
• assisting voters who require help to vote;
• maintaining order at polling stations;
• counting votes; and
• reporting election results.

The Elections Act contains rules intended to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

These include provisions dealing with bribery, treating, undue influence, personation, improper handling of ballot papers, breaches of voting secrecy and other prohibited activities relating to elections.

Penalties may apply where a person is convicted of an offence under the Act.

The Act also provides a process for challenging an election through an election petition. It outlines how election petitions may be presented and the powers of the Court when considering a petition.

You can download and read the Elections Act below for the detailed legal provisions governing elections in the Virgin Islands.

The downloadable Revised Edition is a consolidation of the Elections Act showing the law as at 30 June 2013. The Elections Act has been amended since that revision. Persons who need the current legal requirements should also review subsequent amendments and applicable election regulations or contact the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.

The information on this page is provided as a general guide and does not replace the Elections Act, its amendments or other applicable legislation.