General Elections were held in the British Virgin Islands on 17 November 1986 for all nine seats in the Legislative Council.
Electoral System
The British Virgin Islands elects on territorial level to a unicameral legislature. The Legislative Council consists of 11 members; nine elected representatives for a four-year term, the Attorney General (non-voting, ex officio member) and one elected Speaker.
Background
The Legislative Council of this British dependency was dissolved on 22 August 1986, paving the way for elections within two months. The decision was announced by Governor David Barwick and came six days before the legislature was to have debated a vote of no- confidence in Chief Minister Cyril Romney who was associated with a company accused of involvement in laundering drug money. Romney denied any wrongdoing and never was charged.
Results
The result was a victory for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) led by Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt over the United Party (UP). The VIP won 5 of the available 9 seats giving it an absolute majority. Conrad Maduro and Ralph O'Neal were the only members of the UP to win a seat. Seven incumbents held their council posts as victories by VIP candidates Lewis Walter and Oliver Cills provided the only newcomers.
Voter Turnout
Voter turnout was 67.6%.
Post-election
On 1 October 1986, H. Lavity Stoutt was sworn in as chief minister. Subsequent to the election Ralph T. O'Neal became leader of the opposition despite not being head of the UP. |
