Belize Peace Movement Seeks Court Enforcement on Redistricting Before Elections

The Belize Peace Movement returned to court today in hopes of triggering a redistricting of divisions before the next General Elections. Last week, the organization filed a motion in the Belize High Court to enforce the 2022 Redistricting Consent Order. Under the court ruling, the Elections and Boundaries Commission was to submit recommendations for redistricting in a report to achieve voter equality across constituencies. In July 2023, the report was completed, and a leaked copy sparked controversy among several sectors. The document was then submitted to the National Assembly and was to be tabled in the House of Representatives, but that is yet to happen. The BPM had also rejected the report and is now seeking to have the court declare the country’s current voters’ list unconstitutional. The group believes the list is disproportionate, does not international standards, and cannot be used in the next general elections. According to the BPM’s attorney, Arthur Saldivar, the group believes the government has not been compliant with the court order and is intentionally dragging its feet with the matter. 

The government’s attorney, Samantha Matute, argued that there are no provisions under the Constitution for a do-over of the exercise. She claimed that the government had complied with the consent order and questioned the court’s jurisdiction over elections. This evening, Saldivar weighed in on her arguments. 

A ruling on the matter is expected to be delivered next month by Justice Nadine Nabie.