BVIslanders will be casting their ballots on 20th August

The party has based its campaign manifesto around its successes since coming to office four years ago, in areas including education and the economy.

Speaking to BBC Caribbean, Chief Minister Orlando Smith said his party had delivered on its promises for 2003 to 2007.

"I think this government was very up front with the people of the Virgin Islands when at the beginning of the administration we told them exactly what we intended to do. We worked very hard towards the completion of those goals in the last four years, including developing the economy for the people of the British Virgin Islands," he said.

Chief Minister's claims disputed

However, opposition leader Ralph O'Neal of the Virgin Islands Party contends that it was the VIP when in government that put into place the foundations for many of the social and economic policies before losing office in 2003, that the government's now taking credit for.

"We were responsible for many of the things which are now flourishing in the Virgin Islands like the financial services industry, in tourism the VIP was responsible for bringing the small man into the forefront," he told BBC Caribbean.

He said his party had in opposition also been able to force the government "to change certain bits of legislation".

Predictions of a good tournout

Analyst Elihu Rhymer has been following the elections closely, as campaigning gains momentum.

He's predicting a good turn out and fair elections and says the British Virgin Islands has a history of vigorously fought elections.

"I think it is a tightly contested campaign and of course tempers will fray and accusations will be made under those circumstances but I don't think the campaign is anyway out of hand."

Mr Rhymer said officials are expecting up to 65 per cent of those eligible to vote from a population of nearly 25,000, to turn out at the polls on Monday 20 August.

Five independent candidates are also contesting the BVI elections.