The Office of the Supervisor of Elections has enhanced its capacity to successfully manage the electoral process in the Virgin Islands.

This was made possible through the Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Scherrie Griffin’s completion of a Professional Certificate in  Management of Electoral Processes from the Internation Centre for Parliamentary Studies.

The capacity building initiative allowed Ms. Griffin to analyse the established international standards relating to the duties of electoral bodies to allow for electoral integrity through an efficient electoral process that is supported by sound knowledge and logistical considerations.

The virtual course was part of the Governor’s Group’s commitment to develop highly skilled and adaptable leaders and officers within the Public Service through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland acting through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Office of the Deputy Governor. It outlined international standards surrounding the electoral cycle through established aims, objectives and organisational themes for the successful management of electoral processes.

Ms. Griffin said, “The Professional Certificate in Management of Electoral Processes provided me with sound knowledge in my efforts to further strengthen the administration of electoral processes as the Supervisor of Elections. It is imperative to establish relationships with stakeholders in the electoral process and take steps to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity.”

The MOU for the Governor’s Group initiative was signed on September 16 for  the sum of $147,554 to provide initiatives and learning opportunities for all Public Officers in the priority areas of focus identified to meet priority gaps and the demands of the evolving modernisation and enhanced governance within the public sector.