General Elections were held in the British Virgin Islands on 20 February 1995 for all 13 seats in the Legislative Council. The number of seats was increased from 11 prior to the election.
Electoral System
The British Virgin Islands elects on territorial level to a unicameral legislature. The Legislative Council consists of fifteen (15) members; thirteen (13) elected representatives for a four year term, nine (9) of whom are electoral district representatives and four (4) as territorial-at-large representatives, the Attorney General (non-voting, ex officio member) and one elected Speaker.
Background
It was the first election to be fought in the British Virgin Islands after the introduction of Territorial at-large seats.
Results
The result was a victory for the incumbent Virgin Islands Party (VIP) led by Chief Minister Lavity Stoutt. The VIP won a plurality of six seats, and thus were able to form a minority government as no other party or coalition could muster a larger number of seats. The BVI United Party (UP) won three seats, and the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) won two seats. The two other seats were won by independents.
The 1995 general election also witnessed the first ever female representatives elected: Ethlyn E. Smith in the Fifth District, and Eileene Parsons as an At-large representative. Eileene Parsons would later join the ruling Virgin Islands Party and become the first ever female Minister for Government in the Territory.
Voter Turnout
Voter turnout was 68.39% of the 7,731 registered voters.
Post-election
Shortly after the election Alvin Christopher joined the VIP upon being offered a Ministerial seat, giving the VIP an outright majority. |
