1963 British Virgin Islands general election explained

General elections were held in the British Virgin Islands on 28 November 1963 for seats on the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands.

For the general election the territory was divided into five districts, the largest of which (the 2nd district - Road Town) would have two members. All seats were contested.

The supervisor of elections was Ralph T. O'Neal.

Results

At the time candidates were not affiliated with political parties. Notable candidates elected for the first time included future leader of the opposition, Q.W. Osborne, and future minister, Terrance B. Lettsome.

ConstituencyCandidatesVotes%
1st DistrictHamilton Lavity Stoutt21568.0
Edward Stoutt10132.0
Total316100
2nd District
(Two representatives)
Isaac Glanville Fonseca44235.4
Arnando Scatliffe23919.1
Ivan Hodge 21016.8
Stanford Connor18614.9
Howard Reynold Penn17313.8
Total1,250100
3rd DistrictIvan Dawson12251.7
Christopher G. Wellington11448.3
Total236100
4th DistrictTerrance B. Lettsome19452.7
Leslie F. Malone17447.3
Total368100
5th DistrictQwominer William Osborne25273.5
Irvin George9126.5
Total343100
Source: BVI Deputy Governor's Office[1]

The 1963 election essentially served as a prelude to the introduction of Ministerial government in the next election in 1967. The three most prominent politicians elected, Lavity Stoutt, Q.W. Osborne and Ivan Dawson went on to form political parties in 1967 to contest the election once party politics was introduced to the jurisdiction.

Appointments

Prior to 1967 there were no ministerial appointments in the British Virgin Islands, but elected politicians did undertake certain ministerial type responsibilities. Subsequent to the election, Lavity Stoutt was appointed member for communications and works, and Ivan Dawson was appointed member for trade and production.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BVI election and information results 1950–2011 . BVI Deputy Governor's Office . 64–69 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407063531/http://216.197.123.192/Portals/0/Forms/Election%20Information%20and%20Results%201950-2011.pdf . 7 April 2014 . dmy-all .