Minister Castro: “Diasporans can vote; they just need to meet requirements.”

And while that is Elrington’s views – Minister Edmond Castro says he believes Belizeans living abroad can vote as long as they meet the requirements set forth by law. The requirement is that they must be living in the country for two months which is most difficult for most Belizeans who live in the U.S.  Today, Minister Castro told the media that the government is not disenfranchising them as they claim. He says many Belizeans who reside abroad are going to be participating in the referendum on April tenth.

Edmond Castro

Edmond Castro, U.D.P. Minister

“I think we have many Belizeans living abroad, we call them the Diaspora, who are already registered to vote not just in the April tenth referendum but also in the general elections. We know of many. And those people living in the Diaspora should contact the person who they want to vote for or which political party to see how they can facilitate them in the process in getting registered so that they can come home and vote.  In the municipal election or general election if I have voter in San Pedro and if I have voters in PG or in San Pedro who are working, it is my duty if they di come vote fi me to get them to the polls. It is no different if you are living in Chicago, New York or Los Angeles. If I have voters who are working there, went on vacation there or who are studying and went to school there, when it is time to vote I make sure that I make the same arrangements for them to come home and vote as for those who are here who are living in PG or San Pedro working, it is my duty and obligation to get them to the poll so that they can vote for me.”

Andrea Polanco

“Not those who have been living there for decades?”

Edmond Castro

“They can live there for decades. Belize dah home – as long as they meet the requirement that you and me have to meet they can vote. So the nonsense about we the disenfranchised – we nuh disenfranchised anybody. Everybody, every Belizean, has a right to vote they just need to meet the same requirements that all of us have to meet.”