BPM Seeks Court Ruling on Constitutionality of Electoral Divisions

The Belize Peace Movement is asking the High Court to decide if the current constituency boundaries violate the Constitution of Belize. Unlike the Jerry Enriquez case, the seven claimants aren’t seeking immediate injunctive relief but rather a clear ruling from the court. The Belize Peace Movement filed the claim in November 2024. The High Court then asked all parties to explain why this matter shouldn’t be considered already resolved by the court. Those submissions have been made, and the claimants are now urgently waiting for a court date, as an election date has already been announced. We heard from Paul Morgan, one of the claimants, at a press conference today.

 

Paul Morgan, Claimant

“On the thirteenth of January both presentations from the defendants and the claimants were in. At this point in time we are waiting for the court to call us, that is over am month now, to call even though we asked for urgency because we believe the election would be called. Even though, elections are not due until five years, which is in 2026 they can go to call these elections. It is not because elections are urgent, the prime minister chose to call elections early for whatever he feels. That is his prerogative under law. He can call elections whenever he wants to. What he does not have the right to do is to mingle, get a situation where the court and the executive comes in conflict. That is what is happening at this point in time. We are waiting now for the court to call us and for this press conference, I think the main idea is that we are asking you the press and the people who will be hurt if the election is called, without fixing Schedule 1, our rights with be violated.”