TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – The House of Assembly (HOA) will reconvene for an emergency on Monday to regularise the status of 688 persons granted Belongership status without following the correct procedure three years ago.
According to Governor John Rankin, “the specific error was that they were granted their residency and Belongership certificates simultaneously, whereas, on a proper reading of the law, they should have held their certificate residency for 12 months before applying for Belonger status was made.”
Rankin emphasized that this was not the fault of the individuals concerned, most of whom he said have lived in the territory and have contributed to the community for more than 20 years and have legitimately operated in the belief that their status granted is valid.
He disclosed that the immediate concern and reason for recalling the HOA for an emergency sitting is the upcoming general election, where many of those 688 persons are registered to vote.
He said if the 2019 error is not remedied, the right of those persons to vote could be questioned, and challenges could be made to the election results.
Rankin further shared that as governor, he has an overriding concern to ensure that the elections are free and fair and not open to challenge based on persons who have voted but are not entitled to vote.
“Accordingly, I believe it’s important that the House of Assembly and the wider public were made aware of this matter and that the House of Assembly is invited to consider the best way of resolving it,” the governor added.
Meanwhile, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley described the incident as an ‘honest oversight,’ explaining that a recent audit of the Fast-track program identified that the persons affected were simultaneously approved for residency and Belonger status when in fact, they should have been free of immigration controls some 12 months before applying for Belonger status.
“The House of Assembly has the power to validate the grant of the residency and Belonger certificates made by Cabinet. We will seek to do this as early as Monday, April 17, at the beginning of next week. A bill will be introduced in the House of Assembly to validate the residents and Belonger status of the 688 portions identified in the audit report,” the Premier said.
Wheatley stressed that the issue should not be used by political opponents as one for politicking, given that it involves the lives of genuine people.
He also assured the public that the election would proceed as planned for April 24.
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