It is unfortunate that residents in the First District have been made to go unrepresented in the House of Assembly for approximately 7 months, a period that will continue to extend until the next General Election is called in the BVI.
This was the sentiment shared by former Speaker of the House of Assembly Ms. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe during an exclusive interview with 284News.
Former Premier and the current First District Representative Honourable Andrew Fahie has been away from the territory since late April this year, following his arrest in the United States for charges of conspiracy to import a controlled substance, conspiracy to engage in money laundering, and attempted money laundering.
With no resignation submitted by Fahie to the House of Assembly following his arrest, it means that he continues to hold his First District seat in the House, despite not being present in any of the Sittings during the seven-month period.
Moses-Scatliffe described the phenomenon as unfortunate especially from the point of view of the voting population of the district which elected Fahie for the purpose of representation in the House of Assembly.
While not casting blame on any particular individual or entity, Moses-Scatliffe said the situation is a disservice to the constituents of the First District as an amicable remedy should have taken place at a much earlier stage to ensure representation remained for the people of the First District in the House.
With a by-election highly unlikely in the First District due to the Amendments made to Section 24A of the Elections Act, Moses-Scatliffe said the First District will be made to go unrepresented in the House of Assembly until the next General Election is called in the territory.