British Virgin Islands general election, 1963

The British Virgin Islands general election, 1963 was a general election 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

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.

British Virgin Islands general election, 1963^[1]

Constituency	Candidates elected	Votes	Percentage
1st District	H. Lavity Stoutt	215	68.0%
	Edward Stoutt	101	32.0%
	Total	316	100.0%
2nd District (Two representatives)	Isaac G. Fonseca	442	35.4%
	Arnando Scatliffe	239	19.1%
	Ivan Hodge	210	16.8%
	Connor Stanford	186	14.9%
	H.R. Penn	173	13.8%
	Total	1,250	100.0%
3rd District	Ivan Dawson	122	51.7%
	Christopher G. Wellington	114	48.3%
	Total	236	100.0%
4th District	Terrance B. Lettsome	194	52.7%
	Leslie F. Malone	174	47.3%
	Total	368	100.0%
5th District	Q. William Osborne	252	73.5%
	Irvin George	91	26.5%
	Total	343	100.0%

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

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.

Footnotes

1. "BVI election and information results 1950–2011" (PDF). BVI Deputy Governor's Office. pp. 64–69.