BVI News

Reports surface that politicians ‘buying votes’ from the vulnerable

Reports have surfaced that political candidates and/or their agents having been paying off persons to vote for them in the 2023 elections.

Shereen Flax-Charles, an incumbent Territorial At-Large Representative who is now the Progressive Virgin Islands Movement’s (PVIM) candidate for the Ninth Electoral District, made that claim while speaking on her party’s Solutions Time radio programme last evening.

She said these so-called vote buyers are targeting the society’s more vulnerable groups.

“Today, I visited a couple of seniors in Virgin Gorda before I came across [to Tortola] and they were very disappointed. So I said, ‘what’s going on?’ [They said] persons are coming and offering us money, what is that about?” Flax-Charles reported at the time.

“I am very disappointed that we’re literally trying to hoodwink our elderly and differently-abled by offering them $40 or $50 to come to the polls and vote for certain candidates. Let’s be real. We have to stop that behaviour,” she added.

The first-term legislator, who is now seeking to unseat her one-time party-mate Vincent Wheatley of the Virgin Islands Party, stressed that the electorate ought to be able to vote for whomever they want without undue influence.

Her claims came hours ahead of Advance Polling Day today where groups such as senior citizens and the disabled get the benefit of early voting ahead of the general elections slated for this coming Monday, April 24.

Flax-Charles did not state whether she reported this alleged incident to the relevant authorities such as the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.

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68 Comments

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  1. To old says:

    Come on what. You too

  2. LOL says:

    Come up with the cash! Shhhhhhid ahu want us to vote for ahu to thief but ain’t want to share the money!!
    CASH to VOTE!! I looking envelope hahahahaha! She really be having nothing to talk about chuuppes!!

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  3. Yeah??? says:

    Which one’s exactly, you know, so I can ummmm avoid them. Such shameful actions, I am appalled….

    Like 14
    Dislike 1
  4. What!!!!! says:

    No problem, take their money and vote for whoever you want they do not know who you cast your vote for

    Like 51
  5. Hmmm says:

    In district 7 too but people talking. Bring the money we still pushing for a change.

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
  6. Wow says:

    Hon flax need to talk to her colleague in the 2nd. He is out of control and desperate. He is allegedly buying votes and spending big money on airline tickets like he have money can’t done. I wonder where he is getting it from?

    Like 21
  7. Rocket science says:

    Let me guess, the party giving out money start with a “V” it has an “I” and it ends with “P”?

    This is something that should be reported to the Commissioner of police and the governor if Ms Charles is serious about integrity.

    Breach of trust one time, arrest and charge. No more nonsense man. All them who voting for the prison bird in the 8th was allegedly paid also.

    Like 16
    Dislike 5
  8. Coi says:

    Rampant in the 2nd District. Taking advantage of the old people. You should see the their behavior down there. Hope they have enough money to pay for their sins and to buy their way to heaven.

    Like 19
    Dislike 4
  9. Hmm says:

    Ask Mr.penn in the 8th how Many $60 dollars he gave out to the less vulnerable. Ask him!

    Like 14
    Dislike 2
  10. Lipstick on dem hog lips EWWW says:

    LOL,ok Bitter Betty, tell us something we DONT KNOW stups!! You only talking p¡$$ now cause you want votes. You always acting high and mighty,but life has a way of humbling people, so hush and have several seats.

    Like 8
    Dislike 4
  11. ARE YOU SERIOUS???? says:

    This is ridiculous- ALL of our politicians have done this for many DECADES. It’s just the way things have been done since out population was 12,000.

    It is time to DRAG ourselves into the 21st century and vote like we have a future- not for parties that gift us promises, contracts or gifts, but for individuals we trust to create a sustainable future for our Territory and our children.

    DONT vote for a party- vote for those you trust!
    Break it up!

    Like 23
  12. Buy votes says:

    How do you know if they voted for you if you “bought” the votes. They can do whatever they want in the booth.. the public scamming the politicians ?!

    Like 12
  13. I b m says:

    Which ones ? Need them to come my way

  14. hm says:

    this is facts . i know a few persons who got $$

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  15. Also says:

    Bothering people right at the polling place in front police

  16. STRUPZZ says:

    and what’s the problem here? all you politicians do is thief all the money. So let the people take them money ain’t a guarantee they will vote anyway!

  17. God help us says:

    R$$$A P$$N out there giving out money for people to vote for V*. He so dumb he went to family members of the candidates who opposing V*

    Like 2
    Dislike 3
  18. Porky pig says:

    Like you vex you don’t have to share out LMAO!!!!

    Like 4
    Dislike 3
  19. Agreed Bill says:

    To which ever Government get in. Please pass a bill so that our seniors can get back the money that was taken from them through grants at Social Development. If some seniors ar collecting that small grant from years ago, please just increase the amount because cost of living has increase.If you can pass a bill for the politicians,you can for the seniors as well.

    Like 12
  20. Old game says:

    What’s new?

  21. no way says:

    This is so sad. I saw the father, mother, and son (* district rep) in action. God don’t like ugly.
    Exploiting the elderly and disabled; feeding them, giving them a little token and not study them for another 4 years. I cannot step foot in that Church.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  22. Really!! says:

    Surely this cannot come as a surprise to anyone!!

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  23. Hmm says:

    Really for $40 or $50. BVI people so broke to accept crumbs I thought anyway that’s not a lot everyone can afford to hand out that amount if that’s what the people happy to accept. I thought you were going to say $1000. Not $50. Or $40.

  24. My says:

    great, great grand father told me he got one in his day. We spoke last night.

  25. Too L** says:

    She Can’t report it because is L**s she telling.

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  26. Rubber Duck says:

    Politicians buying votes? In the BVI?

    Who could have imagined.

  27. @Are you Serious!! says:

    Agreed, buying votes is as local as our national dish, fungi and fish.

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  28. Truth says:

    Try as the might some publications that are anti- VIP continue to throw everything at the kitchen sink and see what sticks . It must b frustrating that nothing is working. keep trying though because it like crying wolf, by the time something is actually real there will be no one believing. LOL

    Like 2
    Dislike 3
  29. SMH says:

    CHUPES!!! ALL THIS PROPAGANDA TO DISCOURAGE VOTERS LEANING TOWARDS VIP CANDIDATES. BUT WE SHALL SEE THE END RESULTS. BLAIMING YOUNG FRESH CABINET MEMBERS FOR ENDURING AND RECIPROCATING THE ISSUES FROM PRIOR ADMINISTRATION WHILST PEOPLE EXPECTING RESULTS AFTER MAJOR HURRICANES AND DURING A WORLD PANDEMIC. WERE THEY TO PERFORM MAJIC?

    Like 6
    Dislike 7
  30. Chuppes says:

    And if this is the case she should’ve reported it!!! Not gone running her mouth as per usual. Loud mouth no substance

    Like 3
    Dislike 2
  31. God help us says:

    R$$$A P$$N out there giving out money for people to vote for **. He so dumb he went to family members of the candidates who opposing **

  32. Hnnnnnmmmm says:

    well might as well because thats all we voters are getting and perhapes the first and only time many will and can see them at there homes

  33. Lol says:

    Tell that l**ng shut up and go sit dong cause she doing same bla@ed thing set a th**f and grass hoppers she #* especially I don’t want to here dem.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  34. Citizen says:

    He picked up an old lady without the family knowing. Even a case of water he giving them for vote. You should have seen the church family behavior.

  35. Oh no says:

    Ooh no our country worth more dan dat

  36. @yeah!!! says:

    Lol. I got it!! Think I need to give directions to my house cause I ain’t get mine yet!!!

  37. O brother says:

    I only hope that voters in anegada and vg don’t vote for this confusion artist, which is worst she or sister messy smokie real talk.

  38. Hibiscus says:

    The level of corruption and deception in our little country is unbelievable

    I am ashamed of my people

  39. @What!!!!! says:

    The BVI will never get out of the mess it is in with mindset such as yours.

    What is being suggested here and endorsed by others is election fraud.

    Any politician new or old engaged in this alleged buying of votes should be charged with election fraud if proven, disqualified from contesting office, and thrown in jail.

    The same goes to anyone who accepts any of those alleged payments. They too need a one way ticket to Balsum Ghut.

    Some of you folks never cease to amaze me. Here you are opening agreeing to election fraud. Every last one of you who engage in this needs to go to jail because you

  40. Jim says:

    I was offered $100. I asked for and received $500.

    And I may not even vote…. lol

    Like 6
    Dislike 1
  41. Haha says:

    To those that are buying votes in VG please stop it and come to Tortola quick. I got one slightly used vote for sale. May the highest bidder win.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  42. Church says:

    That place call church the pastor psycology doctor msnipulate the worsipers. The people who go there are told and demanded what to do in a slick way. The new parson and the father does do it. Them aibt even knoe them bible but preach cotton candy gospel to sound good. The members got to follow or else

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  43. Bornyah says:

    School children say that several envelopes with money are being given out in the 4th district. They say the monies came from over priced projects kickbacks. That’s why the VIP candidate is not busy campaigning she is confident that the cash will make her victorious.
    Please send the undercover cops in the ghetto and long bush quick Police Commissioner.

  44. The one says:

    It’s a darn shame yes, it’s happening in the 4th it’s not the green or blue party doing it!

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  45. The one says:

    In the 4th it’s mostly the Spanish community votes are being bought out!

  46. The one says:

    It’s starts with an N and ends with a P in the 4th

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  47. Tom says:

    There is nothing transparent and democratic about this election.
    4th political hopefuls stand at the entry. Young vulnerable fella bursts into tears because he is being bullied to vote for someone other than he wants. Election officials see and don’t see staunch party members holding conversations with voters. One police officer? Who is reporting these offenses?
    Crap system

  48. 4th says:

    Hauling down every poster leaving up red

  49. Nahima says:

    I got $100 just standing around at rite way

    Where is the cash coming from
    I wonder

  50. Anonymous says:

    That blue team flying in ppl and paying buy the loads especially that gentlemen in district *. I have proof

  51. Sickening says:

    Nonsense…Why don’t u tell your fly by night potrickans to get the know the community before they jump up and run ….

  52. be wise says:

    If they buy you out they can sell you out wise up

  53. Anonymous says:

    It’s the only time ppl can say they getting something back lol…. But $40 …a very cheap vote?!

  54. @ Hmm says:

    Now don’t spread lies… just don’t do it. Push who you want BUT don’t spread lies!

  55. Warning says:

    Not surprised. Some of these people are desperate to get in the honey pot, and they know why. Power corrupts.
    I hope people use their heads when voting – this election is a serious one. It is about REPRESENTATION. About improving the low status of the BVI that is an embarrassment to everyone except those overcome by greed. It is not about the relatives and corrupt cronies, the beauty queens and runners up: it is not about party politics. It is about what is best for this territory.
    And don’t forget, those who are playing too big, like they are better than other people but now trying to win you over, they can scatter, because when election finishes, whether they get in or not, they are going back up on their high horses. Vote people who will move this place forward, not those who will sit back, talk froth when a HOA meeting is called, collect their fat check each month and don’t do squat to build back our damaged reputation caused by a certain party and a set of corrupt and greedy people.
    Beware of the wolves in sheep clothing.
    Don’t say I didn’t warn you all.

  56. Bree says:

    If any politician and those hoping to be elected has to resort to this, then he/she does not need to be elected to any public office. Also, if they believe what, they are saying, there is no need for bribing and strongarming people to vote for them.

  57. Not from the BVI says:

    I do have a question…

    and that is, did she report her findings to the Police as this would be more credible

    It makes no sense at all if it wasn’t as the matter should be fully investigated

    From what I see, the Caribbean politicians also will do and say anything to put confusion in someone’s head/mind

  58. not from the BVI says:

    Corruption…

  59. not from the BVI says:

    have some integrity…

    you should be voting for the person who you think would do some good for the country

    not everyone is corrupt…

    they even have corrupt UK Parliamentarian

  60. WEW says:

    Been this way since 1957

  61. yep says:

    yep give me mine upfront. cause when they go in office, they forget we are here.

  62. @Anonymous says:

    I am not planning on voting, but you need to shut your lying @$$ because if you have proof you would be infront of the Commissioner door right now and not hiding under the name “Anonymous”.

    But, I seriously believe that buying of votes is taking place bc this has been happening for years. In any event, it is usually the party that is in power that takes the people’s money and squander in this manner to remain in power.

  63. @Hmmm says:

    I woulda really sell my vote for about a $5000. because at least that woulda been a “guarantee” that MY vote benefited ME. So if after I sell my vote, the country benefits overall, I benefit too, and if the country suffers overall, then I would generally suffer too. You see, after we vote these people into office, they will automatically feed themselves and get fat off our backs…(look at their salaries)…and then what are the voters left with? $40.00? Nah…$5000.00 for my vote.

  64. District 2 says:

    She need to stop because her 2nd district man of God is targeting the them as well.

  65. Stop says:

    7 district is one and he is really training people very well he had four years to fix the long look area and nothing happen this really need to stop election should be of good and not evil when you love money you will do anything to win and get people in your evil devices it’s amazing what people will do to win they will hurt you as well it’s a shame on you Mr. Wheatley I wish you the best Mr Wheatley must have that christ love no matter what people do or say to him but he don’t

  66. Facts says:

    It was rampant in the 5, 7, and 8

  67. Jokes says:

    $60.00 – that’s what he gives them on a regular, when they beg. Members of the green team were walking around with bags of cash.

  68. Stop says:

    Yes they just afraid to go the right way they don’t like to loose and the officers was not doing anything on poll day 7 district was terrible they had money right on the spot on poll day as well never heard the first lady of the premier speak she need the deal with the ladies in the 7 district she’s a first lady, first lady don’t sit down and look pretty first lady help,care and have christ love for others

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