Why Belize can no longer postpone the redivision of electoral divisions
by Jerry A. Enriquez
“Today, after a period of increased democratization around the world, many democracies appear to be backsliding. Some Governments seem to be deliberately weakening independent checks on their powers, suffocating criticism, dismantling democratic oversight, and ensuring their long-term rule.” – Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Human Rights and Elections: A Handbook on International Human Rights and Elections.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
At the start of every term of a government administration, members of Belize’s National Assembly pledge to “bear true faith and allegiance to Belize,” “uphold the Constitution and the law,” and “discharge [their] duties conscientiously, impartially, and to the best of [their] ability.” Yet, the government’s failure to uphold Section 90 of the Constitution reveals a stark betrayal of these solemn promises.
These pledges often feel like mere marasualuguti[1] and hypocrisy—empty words cloaked in sanctimony. How else can one explain a Cabinet of Ministers and Members of the House of Representatives sitting through electoral terms of ongoing disparity where some area representatives serve constituencies of over 10,000 registered voters, such as in the Stann Creek West and Belmopan divisions, while others from such divisions as Fort George, Mesopotamia and Albert represent fewer than 3,000 electors?
Despite campaign promises for good governance, the People’s United Party (PUP), once heralded for its roots in social justice under George Price, now employs questionable tactics to again evade equal redivision of Belize’s severely malapportioned electoral divisions. Instead of prioritizing fairness and constitutional compliance, the current administration has opted to spend public funds on high-priced attorneys to delay the redivision process through the court, thereby perpetuating an unjust status quo. This calculated evasion undermines public trust and erodes Belize’s fragile democracy.
([1] Marasualuguti is a Garifuna word meaning untruthful or lies.)
The Root of the Problem: A Deepening Oligarchy
Decades of deliberate inaction on electoral redivision have entrenched an oligarchic system that prioritizes the interests of the few over the majority. These self-serving elites, consumed by a corrupt sense of entitlement, prioritize maintaining power over the principles of public service. Their strategy depends on public complacency and subtly or overtly oppressing dissent to protect their vested interests. This betrayal of constitutional accountability underscores the need for urgent reform.
For over a decade, concerned citizens have called for electoral reform, only to be met with deaf ears from political leaders as well as the general public. While the Belize Peace Movement has valiantly pursued legal action against this blatant constitutional violation since before the last general elections, they’ve received minimal public support and operate voluntarily with severely limited resources. Civil society organizations—including the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belize Network of NGOs, Public Service Union, Belize National Teachers Union, Belize Council of Churches, the Bar Association, the People’s Constitution Commission, and local leaders—have largely remained silent or lukewarm, effectively complicit in perpetuating the status quo.
Belize’s Constitutional Mandate
Section 90 of Belize’s Constitution mandates that “each electoral division shall have as nearly as may be an equal number of persons eligible to vote.” It further stipulates that the Elections and Boundaries Commission consider transport, physical features, and other facilities when delineating boundaries. Despite this clear directive, the Commission, composed of PUDP loyalists, has failed to deliver meaningful change. Their trite recommendations for cosmetic changes, with a 25% to 35%% deviation, demonstrate a lack of objectivity and a desire to maintain the status quo as much as possible. This glaring conflict of interest undermines the Commission’s credibility, betrays the Belizean people, and has proven them ineffective as they compromise to suit their political parties rather than achieve the mandate of the Constitution.
Adding insult to injury, the inability of the Minister of Constitutional and Political Reform to successfully lead an objective and fair redivision over the past four years exemplifies the duplicity at play. The government’s continued failure to resolve this issue perpetuates a system where electoral divisions remain grossly unequal and unfair, rendering any upcoming election fundamentally and deeply flawed.
The Urgent Need for Action
Contrary to claims that the status quo is irreversible, electoral re-divisioning is still possible before the next general elections, due in November. Failure to act will extend this gross inequity for another five years, a delay that serves only the oligarchy’s interests. Section 91 of the Constitution states that any re-division will take effect at the next general election (an extended wait until 2030), making it clear why the ruling elite resist change—the longer they delay, the longer they benefit.
It is time for Belizeans to awaken from their apathy and demand accountability. Civil society organizations, including local leaders and the media, must shed their passivity and join the BPM’s fight for constitutional compliance. By every metric and international standard for democratic elections—including those guided by the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, regional organizations, and parliamentary assemblies — national elections in Belize with severely and persistently malapportioned electoral divisions, ranging by as much as 25% to 63% deviation from the mean, cannot be deemed as free and fair. Acceptable international standards range from 10% to 15% deviation.
A Plea to the International Community
We call on all foreign embassies in Belize, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and other regional and international bodies to take note. If Belize’s government does not resolve the severe malapportionment of electoral divisions, its elections cannot be recognized as free and fair. This is not merely a domestic issue; it forms part of our greater global democratic integrity. Ignoring this as a local issue only sows seeds for further deterioration of democratic values.
Belize stands at a crossroads. Will Belizeans continue to accept the Bra Anancy tricks of the political elite, or will we demand the fairness and equity in democratic values enshrined in our Constitution? The time for fence-sitting must be over. Belizeans must rise, hold their leaders of all political parties accountable, and refuse to let this blatant disregard for democracy go unchallenged. The future of our nation depends on it. We cannot fail our future generations. If not us, who? If not now, when?
(AMANDALA Ed. Note: Ironically, and embarrassingly, the current Minister of Constitutional and Political Reform is also the area representative for the Fort George Division, which is the division most glaringly in contravention of Section 90 of the Constitution.)