1963 British Virgin Islands general election

General elections were held in the British Virgin Islands on 28 November 1963 for seats on the Legislative Council of the British Virgin Islands.

For the general election the territory was divided into five districts, the largest of which (the 2nd district - Road Town) would have two members. All seats were contested.

The supervisor of elections was Ralph T. O'Neal.

Results

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At the time candidates were not affiliated with political parties. Notable candidates elected for the first time included future leader of the opposition, Q.W. Osborne, and future minister, Terrance B. Lettsome.

Constituency Candidates Votes %
1st District Hamilton Lavity Stoutt 215 68.0
Edward Stoutt 101 32.0
Total 316 100
2nd District
(Two representatives)
Isaac Glanville Fonseca 442 35.4
Arnando Scatliffe 239 19.1
Ivan Hodge 210 16.8
Stanford Connor 186 14.9
Howard Reynold Penn 173 13.8
Total 1,250 100
3rd District Ivan Dawson 122 51.7
Christopher G. Wellington 114 48.3
Total 236 100
4th District Terrance B. Lettsome 194 52.7
Leslie F. Malone 174 47.3
Total 368 100
5th District Qwominer William Osborne 252 73.5
Irvin George 91 26.5
Total 343 100
Source: BVI Deputy Governor's Office[1]

The 1963 election essentially served as a prelude to the introduction of Ministerial government in the next election in 1967. The three most prominent politicians elected, Lavity Stoutt, Q.W. Osborne and Ivan Dawson went on to form political parties in 1967 to contest the election once party politics was introduced to the jurisdiction.

Appointments

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Prior to 1967 there were no ministerial appointments in the British Virgin Islands, but elected politicians did undertake certain ministerial type responsibilities. Subsequent to the election, Lavity Stoutt was appointed member for communications and works, and Ivan Dawson was appointed member for trade and production.

References

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  1. ^ "BVI election and information results 1950–2011" (PDF). BVI Deputy Governor's Office. pp. 64–69. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2014.