Malicious rumours! Lorna warns VIP over false claims
Former First Lady Lorna Smith has called on members of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) to stop spreading false claims about the eligibility of candidates from her party to serve in the House of Assembly (HOA).
Smith, who is contesting the elections as a Territorial At-Large candidate with the National Democratic Party (NDP), told residents at a campaign rally in the Second Electoral District last evening that she has tried to remain above the fray of party politics thus far.
“I would, however, ask the members of the Virgin Islands Party to refrain from spreading deliberate and false claims, to the effect that, should two of us (NDP candidates) on the campaign be elected, we cannot be seated in the House of Assembly,” Smith said.
The former First Lady did not offer any details to support her contention but insisted that such claims were far from the truth, particularly since she had helped with negotiations for the 2007 Constitution Order — the document which outlines the fundamental laws that govern the territory today.
Smith also suggested that candidates should instead address real issues affecting the BVI and ‘stop talking nonsense’ on the campaign trail.
Who is qualified to serve
According to Section 65(1) of the constitution, in order to be eligible, a person must meet one of two criteria: either they were eligible before the new constitution was put in place, or they are a Virgin Islander who was at least 21 years old and eligible to vote.
The definition of a ‘Virgin Islander’ is given in subsections (2) and (3), which basically says that a person is a Virgin Islander if they were born in the Virgin Islands to a parent who was a citizen of the Virgin Islands, or if they were born outside the Virgin Islands to a parent or grandparent who was a citizen of the Virgin Islands.
Subsection (4) adds some additional requirements for eligibility. If a person has never lived in the territory, they must have lived there for at least five years before they can run for office. If a person used to live in the Virgin Islands, but has been living outside of the territory for more than ten years, they must have lived in the Virgin Islands for at least three years before they can run for office, and they must currently be a resident of the Virgin Islands.
Who is disqualified
Section 66 addresses criteria that can disqualify candidates from serving in the HOA.
A person cannot be elected if they are currently in a public office, declared bankrupt, certified as insane, sentenced to death or imprisoned for at least a year, or disqualified by any election laws in the Virgin Islands.
A person cannot be elected to the HOA if they have been in jail for a year or more, or have been released from jail after serving such a sentence within the past five years.
Additionally, if a person is involved in any contract with the government of the Virgin Islands, they must disclose this before being nominated as a candidate.
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“… told residents at a campaign rally in the Second Electoral District last evening that she has tried to remain above the fray of party politics thus far.”
After 30 years of being very superior, the attempt to cast herself as one of the normal people rings very hollow.
If she is elected, she will firstly ban motor bikes from the road beneath her house, and will then disappear on a 4 year jaunt around the world travelling first class and staying in 5 star hotels – all at the Government expense.
What a reality show! 🙁
She very well know Mather and estrage cannot run so let’s not waste our votes
Plus Myron will be sentenced after his case
The big question here is who confirms if a candidate is eligible to run for elected office? It actually is the job of the Elections Office to review the candidates nominations and confirm whether Lorna, Mather, Ingrid and the other candidates qualify. Mather was not born in the Virgin Islands and his parents were not citizens of the Virgin Islands when he was born. Mather also was not eligible to run for office under the 1976 constitution. Does he qualify? Same problem for Lorna and Ingrid. The Elections Office has to look at the nominations objectively and only approve those persons who qualify. The Attorney General’s Chambers should confirm the Elections Office final list for quality assurance. No one should slip through just because they are popular or we know them.
Read the Constitution people before you spout nonsense. There is a 2007 Constitution that is publicly available. The answer is quite clear if you have at least completed secondary school and if you haven’t, ask someone who has to read and interpret it for you.
Lorna you are too grown to be getting involved in this stupid bulls**t. Stop taking the bait!!..SMFH
she looks tired in that pic
One eye zero brain?! Do you know the laws? stop make yourself sound stupid.
My issue with the NDP is they want to say what they want when they want at who they want and when they want and feel no way about it. But when anyone fires back at them they always declaring war. The NDP has not changed. They have gotten worse.
Someone needs to clear up this as some five of them including Mather, Misy, esteage and Lorna not born here
that’s exactly what this website wants to project to we the voters. If you pay close attention you will realize that this site always post the worst photos of the NDP candidates. Don’t take my word for it look for yourselves.
Was Mark born here?
Have all been born or naturalised as Virgin Islanders? Are they all over 21 years? This is a non-issue.
The BVI coffers are a BEE HIVE/NEST today and every bee is trying to get in to get a taste. We frig! Not one of them is, has or is speaking to the pressing issues the country and people are facing and will continue to after they are elected to office.
Not one insight from none ah them bees as to what a manifesto of theirs look like, what are their true plans for the economic transformation and development of the country, not a single word thereon.
Not a single syllable on price gouging greed and legislation to fix that malady. Not a single whisper on the high and rising cost of living, a livable minimum wage, elderly care in terms of a social security increase to help mitigate the high and formidable cost of health care, medical products, food and transportation.
Not a single statement on the dilapidated infrastructure of our territory’s, roads, financial and education system and a public works department that exist only to pay salaries to name but a few.
Not one pertinent issue is being raised with any consistency or surety to give a voter any hope of electing any sense of progress.
Hence, the conclusion that sucking honey from the BEE HIVE is the foremost motivation of the current candidates, both in and those seeking office. We frig!
…if not born here a parent and a grand parent must be Virgin Islanders
it’s a pity that some many washed up, out-of-touch individuals want to run for election. as an educated BVIslander I can honestly say that none of who are running will get my vote. They dont deserve it.
I voting for Johnie walker rum! ?
I’m sorry, but this does not look like an able-bodied person.
You’ve done your work miss, you and Mr Fraser can now go out to pasture.
You took how long to write your epistle on Lorna, Mather and Moses. But you conveniently selected Mather- why? Do you feel threatened by him and what he has to offer? Miss me wid yah BS! Ayo always trying to make issues when there are none! Go read for yourself you dumb MS. I am sure all whom are running for elections have voted before and begs the question- if they could vote why can’t they run? You seem scared that all and sundry know about the VIP sneakiness and the writing on the wall is that party is DOA. Get your hard on for Wiggo and the mess his ego and that of the Accidental Premier et.al have created! Gtfoh wuss…
Wi*go – you desperately need to keep your green team in so you don’t have to beg & Ben Dover for your daily bread. Go ask your mom whom your dad is before you engage your fingers to type nonsense.
Lorna, hush up.
Get your own name idiot and stop pretending to be someone way more intelligent than you.
The law is that if you were eligible before the changes in 2007 , you remain eligible.
End of.
Lorna is eligible and is far and away the best and most experienced candidate we have for Premier.
She did travel the world , establishing and promoting the BVIs finance industry. And no doubt she will travel again when it is in the interest of the BVI.
Here is your answer from the Supervisor of Elections:
At the 8:16 pointer of the video:
https://fb.watch/jIjImV40OB/?mibextid=v7YzmG
Persons would not be allowed to run if they were not eligible so pick sense out of nonsense sheez!
VIP ALL THE TIME
VIP is discriminating against other Caribbean people. Them only want to use them.
Your poor English gives away that you are the fraud – I would never write “stop pretending to be someone way more intelligent than you” – you are a fraud.
Get your own name!
If all she accomplishes is banning scooters, that’s a win!! Vote early and often!
You are an IMBECILE! Do you recall that Ingrid was a Speaker of the HOA and have also voted in past Elections. My Aunt also gave birth to her at Peebles Hospital. Furthermore, she was educated here in Tortola, England and the US. Get your facts straight, please! Stop spreading rumors about my cousin and go read the VI CONSTITUTION,damn NINCOMPOOP!
Yea and she was also removed as a PS from a previous Chief Minister for doing something beyond her scope and pay grade. Talk that! She will not be getting my vote.
Cut the BS! There are some 130+ different nationalities in this little Territory and you want to say the VI discriminates. GTFOH with that bull$hit narrative. Foreigners are here for the MUNNY!
Lol finally someone who thinks and feels like me, if it’s one thing she can bank on is my vote for that….real talk
If I was your mother I would disown you.
don’t be fooled by those two imposters above
Lorna will not survive 4 years if elected. She does not look well. Elect young healthy people to the HOA
Typical and the name says it all ; Virgin Islands Party – restricted.