The Government of the Virgin Islands is advising the public, especially electoral candidates and organising groups of electoral candidates, that the requirements to apply for development planning permission to display political campaign signs have been waived for the 2015 general election campaigning period.  

Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mr. Brodrick Penn stated, “Generally, the placement of election advertisements and campaign signs are considered as “development” under the Physical Planning Act 2004 (“the Act”), and require an application for development permission to be granted in accordance with the procedures under the Act.”

However, in order to provide greater expediency for all electoral candidates to display their electoral advertisements and signage, the Government of the Virgin Islands has passed regulations allowing the display of political campaign signs, without the requirement to make an application and receive permission under the Act.

The regulations will apply as of May 8, but all signage must be removed in conformity with the Elections Ordinance.

Historically, as part of the elections process in the Virgin Islands, election campaign signs are temporarily mounted during the period of general elections up until 12:00 a.m. on polling day.

This announcement supersedes all previous public advice regarding applications for permission to display election banners and campaign signage.