ComPol Does Not Believe Prisoners Should Vote

While those residents won’t get to vote, one attorney is pushing for prisoners on pretrial detention to have their voting rights. Attorney Michelle Trapp has written to the Elections and Boundaries Commission and the Attorney General asking that prisoners on pretrial detention for less than twelve months be given this opportunity. The Belize Police Department is responsible for keeping peace at polling stations across the country. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that if prisoners are allowed to vote, police officers will be available to ensure order. However, he doesn’t support the cause.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“My honest opinion. I don’t believe in it. That is just me. But if the powers that be believes that should be the case then we will fall in line and do what needs to be done to ensure that we provide the policing service to keep that polling station peaceful. When it comes to the issue of conducting elections,t hat is the duty of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. We are not the one who decides where polling station goes. Once the E.B.C. says we want a polling station here, we are going to put one here, then we are going to make sure that we police that polling station.”