1773 British Virgin Islands general election

Background

A petition by residents of the Virgin Islands for the creation of a constitution or a judicial system was made to the British government in 1756, but was rejected. A second attempt was made in 1773, and granted by royal prerogative.[2] In June 1773 Governor Ralph Payne was ordered to issue the writs for an election.[3] He subsequently proclaimed the establishment of a legislature on 30 November.[4]

Electoral system

A new House of Assembly was created, with 11 elected members. Eight were elected in Tortola, two in Virgin Gorda and one in Jost Van Dyke.[4] The right to vote was restricted to white men owning at least 10 acres of land or property worth at least £10. Candidacy was restricted to white men over the age of 21 who owned at least 40 acres of land or property worth £40, or to sons of men owning 80 acres of land or a property worth at least £80.[4] Candidates had to be residents of the constituency that they ran for election in.[4]

In addition to the House of Assembly, a 12-member Legislative Council, also known as the Board, was created, which was appointed by the Governor.[4]

Aftermath

The newly elected House of Assembly met for the first time on 1 February 1774.[5]

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References
  1. Norwell Harrigan (1970) The British Virgin Islands: A chronology, Research & Consulting Services
  2. Ermin Penn (1998) The Constitutional History of the British Virgin Islands, p4–5
  3. Isaac Dookhan (1975) A History of the British Virgin Islands 1672 to 1970, Caribbean University Press, p30
  4. Dookhan, p32
  5. Penn, p5
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