Cabinet Moves Forward with Redistricting Consultations and Constitutional Amendments

In this week’s Cabinet meeting, the long-debated redistricting exercise was a focal point. Prime Minister John Briceno directed Minister Henry Usher, in collaboration with Attorney General Anthony Sylvester, to initiate consultations with the Elections and Boundaries Commission. These discussions aim to explore constitutional amendments necessary for a feasible re-divisioning of electoral boundaries. A release issued this morning indicates that Cabinet anticipates completing these consultations and legislative amendments within the next year. The endeavor follows a series of events dating back to 2019 when the Belize Peace Movement (BPM) filed a claim urging the government to undertake a redistricting exercise to address disparities in constituency sizes. In July 2023, the Elections and Boundaries Commission submitted a redistricting report to the National Assembly. However, this proposal faced criticism from both government and opposition members, who deemed it unworkable and constitutionally insufficient. Further complicating matters, High Court Justice Nadine Nabie ruled in August 2024 that the Elections and Boundaries Commission had complied with the consent order in their redistricting efforts. Despite the ruling, the redistricting process remained contentious, with debates about its fairness and adherence to constitutional standards. It is to be noted that the Cabinet did reiterate its 2023 position, deeming the proposed redistricting from the Elections and Boundaries Commission, as unworkable and constitutionally insufficient.