By Omar Silva

Editor: National Perspective Bz DIGITAL 2024

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City, Friday 11th October 2024

As Belize prepares for yet another election cycle, the fragility and flaws of our voter registration system have once again come into the spotlight. The recent allegations of election fraud in Cayo North, where 101 new voters are being contested, have further exposed the systemic vulnerabilities that both major political parties—the People’s United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP)—have exploited for decades. What should be a cornerstone of our democracy has instead become a tool of manipulation, used by those in power to tilt electoral outcomes in their favor.

A Broken System of Convenience

The recent legal battle in Cayo North is just the latest chapter in a long history of abuse. For years, both the PUP and UDP have taken advantage of a voter registration process riddled with loopholes and devoid of accountability. Whether it is registering voters who do not reside in the constituencies where they claim to live, or allowing landlords to falsely testify in court, the system is designed in a way that makes it easy to cheat.

At the heart of the problem is a lack of legal safeguards. In cases where voter registrations are challenged, neither the alleged voter nor the homeowner is required to appear in court to provide proof of residency. No identification cards, no utility bills, no tangible evidence. Instead, vague addresses are given, and the burden falls on political opponents to prove a negative—that these individuals do not live where they are registered.

This flawed system is not accidental; it is deliberate. Both political parties have used it to their advantage, stacking voter rolls in key constituencies with fraudulent registrations. When they are in government, they turn a blind eye to the very system they condemned while in opposition. It is a cycle of abuse that has eroded public trust in our electoral process.

Legal Loopholes and Procedural Delays

The Cayo North case highlights yet another problem: the abuse of legal technicalities to delay or avoid a proper investigation into alleged voter fraud. The recent argument made by the defense in court—that the magistrate breached the constitutional rights of the 101 contested voters by continuing the case after the statutory deadline—illustrates how political operatives can exploit procedural loopholes to their advantage.

According to the Representation of the People Act, the court must finalize its determination of the voters list before the fifth of each month. When this deadline was missed, the defense argued that the entire case should be thrown out, effectively sidestepping the substance of the fraud allegations. This manoeuvre shifts the focus from the legitimacy of the voter registrations to a legal technicality, delaying justice and allowing fraudulent registrations to remain on the rolls—at least temporarily.

This is a classic tactic employed by political representatives seeking to muddy the waters and avoid scrutiny. By pushing the case into the High Court, the defense buys time, allowing these questionable registrations to remain in place for the upcoming elections.

An Illusion of Democracy

While international election observers may certify our elections as "free and fair" based on what happens on election day, the real fraud occurs long before the first vote is cast. The manipulation of voter rolls during the transfer period is the true battleground, where political operatives quietly game the system to ensure their victory months in advance.

For the average Belizean, this should be a cause for outrage. The right to vote is sacred, but that right is being diluted by a system that allows fraudulent registrations to go unchecked. By the time voters head to the polls, the outcome has already been skewed by these behind-the-scenes manipulations.

The Need for Reform

It is clear that the current voter registration system is broken. To restore public confidence in our electoral process, we must demand reform. Here are some key changes that are urgently needed:

Mandated Proof of Residency: The law must be amended to require that all individuals registering to vote provide tangible proof of residency, such as identification cards, utility bills, or rental agreements. When registrations are challenged, the alleged voters and their landlords must be required to appear in court and provide this proof.

Empowering the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC): The EBC must be empowered to conduct thorough investigations into allegations of fraudulent registrations. This body should have the authority to subpoena records, interview witnesses, and make independent determinations, free from political interference.

Real Consequences for Fraud: Those found guilty of manipulating the voter registration process—whether political representatives, landlords, or individuals—must face real consequences. Fines, disqualification from office, and even imprisonment should be on the table for those who seek to undermine the democratic process.

Judicial Oversight: The current system, which places voter registration challenges before lay magistrates with limited legal training, must be reformed. Cases involving voter fraud should be heard by judges with the authority to demand evidence and make binding rulings based on the facts, not technicalities.

The Stakes Are Too High

As Belizeans, we cannot afford to allow this broken system to continue. The stakes are simply too high. Every fraudulent registration dilutes the value of a legitimate vote, and every delay in addressing these issues undermines public confidence in our democracy. If we do not demand change now, we will continue to see the same abuses repeated in election after election.

Both the PUP and UDP have proven that they are more than willing to abuse this system when it suits their interests. It is up to us, the Belizean people, to demand better. We must call for electoral reform that ensures a free, fair, and transparent process—one where every legitimate vote counts and every fraudulent scheme is exposed.

Belize deserves a voter registration system that works for the people, not for the politicians. It is time to end the cycle of abuse and restore integrity to our elections.