TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC):

The opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP) has won seven seats in the 15-member House of Assembly in the British Virgin Islands following general elections in that British Overseas Territory on Monday.

Voters were to elect 13 of the 15 legislators for a four year term, with nine of them in single-seat constituencies and four at large.

Preliminary results show that the VIP had seven seats so far declared with incumbent Kedrick Pickering being the only successful candidate from the National Democratic Party (NDP) which held the reigns of government before the poll.

Independent Candidate J. Alvin Christopher, who was endorsed by the VIP during campaigning, regained his seat in the second district, beating the NDP's Gerald Chinnery, and thus far is the only successful independent candidate. lands.