By: Omar Silva

Editor/Publisher: National Perspective Bz Digital – 2025

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City: Thursday 6th February 2025

As Belize moves closer to the 2025 general elections, a growing legal storm threatens to upend the nation’s electoral process. A group of Belizean voters, including Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey, has filed legal action against the government, claiming a violation of their constitutional rights under Section 90 of the Belize Constitution. At the core of their argument is the government’s failure to implement redistricting measures, a move they say undermines democratic fairness and equality in representation.

A Breach of Constitutional Duty

The legal challenge stems from a 2019 consent order in which the government and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) acknowledged the urgent need to redefine electoral district boundaries. This was necessary to ensure compliance with Section 90, which mandates that each division must have an equal number of voters as far as possible. The EBC submitted its proposals in July 2023, leading to the tabling of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in May of this year. Yet, despite holding a parliamentary majority, the government has stalled in debating or passing the bill.

This delay has raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the upcoming elections. With political campaigns already in full swing and an official election announcement expected soon, the claimants argue that proceeding with elections under the current electoral boundaries would be unconstitutional. They warn that holding elections under outdated divisions constitutes voter disenfranchisement and a deliberate suppression of the electorate’s right to fair representation.

The Political Manipulation Behind Electoral Stagnation

This unfolding crisis lays bare the deeper dysfunction at the heart of Belize’s political system. The extractive political class, long accused of prioritizing its own interests over those of the people, appears intent on maintaining outdated electoral boundaries that benefit the ruling elite. By failing to implement redistricting reforms, the government is effectively securing its grip on power at the expense of democratic integrity.

Prime Minister John Briceño has now signaled a retreat, telling the media that any attempt at redistricting before the 2025 general elections is too late. This statement follows a legal challenge that many believe briefly halted the PUP government’s plans. On February 4, 2025, Trinidadian attorney Anand Ramlogan sent a pre-action letter on behalf of Enriquez, Norales, and Tulcey to the Attorney General, the Speaker of the House, and the Chair of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. The letter raised concerns that holding elections without implementing redistricting would be unconstitutional and a breach of voters’ rights.

This pre-action letter appears to have forced the government to change its stance, giving the semblance of a retreat while not fully addressing the concerns raised. Notably, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, in response to the legal notice, confirmed that the government would not announce the election date during the February 7 special sitting of Parliament. However, the government has not provided a definitive response on whether it intends to proceed with elections without redistricting.

The Risk of a Constitutional Crisis

The claimants’ legal representatives have set a clear deadline: the government has until February 5, 2025, to confirm whether it intends to call elections without passing the necessary amendments. Should the government fail to respond or commit to redistricting, the claimants will seek an urgent court order to block the election from proceeding under the current boundaries.

With a special sitting of Parliament scheduled for February 7, 2025, the government’s handling of this matter will be under intense scrutiny. Legal experts warn that if the election proceeds under unconstitutional boundaries, it could lead to the invalidation of the election results, sparking a constitutional crisis that could plunge Belize into political uncertainty.

A Call for Electoral Justice

At this critical juncture, Belizeans must recognize the dangers of an electoral system that remains hostage to political convenience rather than democratic principles. The demand for fair representation is not just a legal issue—it is a moral imperative for the preservation of Belize’s democracy.

The extractive political class has long manipulated governance structures to serve its own ends. This latest redistricting debacle only underscores the urgent need to dismantle the status quo. Belizeans must demand accountability and refuse to be complicit in a rigged system that prioritizes political expediency over genuine democratic progress.

As the nation heads into what could be its most consequential election in decades, the people of Belize must take a stand. The time to demand electoral justice is now. Anything less would be a betrayal of the democratic ideals for which Belize fought so hard to attain.