BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Nov. 10, 2016–“Representatives of Belize’s non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met yesterday, Wednesday, November 9, at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan to define the process to be followed to elect Belize’s 13th Senator,” stated a press release issued today, Thursday.

The statement further revealed that as a result of that meeting on Wednesday, a steering committee was elected to lead the process of electing the 13th Senator.

Janelle Chanona (Oceana Belize) serves as the committee’s chairman, while Osmany Salas (Belize Tourism Industry Association) serves as vice chairman, Amanda Acosta (Belize Audubon Society) serves as secretary, Armando Aban (The Scout Association of Belize) serves as treasurer, and Froyla Tzalam (Sarstoon Temash Institute of Indigenous Management) serves as media relations officer.

A press release on the matter is published on page 6 of this issue.

The appointment of the 13th Senator was a manifesto promise of the United Democratic Party during the 2012 election season.

However, after the election, the UDP-led government then put aside the idea of a 13th Senator, which it said would only serve to paralyze the government.

Following a historic eleven days of strike held by the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), which placed the appointment of the 13th Senator in a list of demands it was making of the Government, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that he would in fact proceed with the appointment of the 13th Senator.