to these early elections, and it is possible that they were conducted by straw poll or show of hands rather than by ballot. In 1950 four legislators were elected to the Legislative Council on a Territory-wide basis. The inaugural legislative council included four elected members: Isaac Glanville Fonseca, Howard R. Penn MBE, Carlton L.E. deCastro and John Charles Brudenell-Bruce MBE. In 1953 the number of legislators was increased to six, and elections were conducted on the basis of territorial constituencies (with Road Town electing two legislators). General elections 1967 to date In 1967 Ministerial government was introduced into the British Virgin Islands, and candidates organised themselves into political parties. The results of the party contested general elections were as follows: By-elections There have been three recorded by-elections in the British Virgin Islands to date: the first in 1977 following the death of Austin Henley (VIDP - 2nd District), the second in 1995 following the death of Lavity Stoutt (VIP - 1st District), and the third in 2005 following the death of Paul Wattley (NDP - At-large). In each case except the first the party which had won the seat originally held the seat at the by-election. A further by-election was expected following the death of the Delores Christopher, but because of the proximity to the 2019 general election it was decided to bring forward the date of the general election instead, and not hold a separate by-election. Electoral milestones and feats See also Electoral calendar Electoral system Footnotes