How Will the Ballot Look Amid the UDP Leadership War?

As we approach the 2025 general elections, the usual certainty surrounding ballot designs has been thrown into question due to the internal strife within the United Democratic Party (UDP). With both Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Panton claiming leadership of the party, the matter has escalated to the courts and has created an unprecedented scenario for voters and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).

Traditionally, Belizean ballots are straightforward in design: a column for surnames, another for other names, a colour assignment for each candidate’s party, and a space for the voter to mark their choice with an X. The PUP, known for its blue colour, and the UDP, recognised by its red, have long-standing colour associations. However, the current leadership dispute in the UDP complicates this familiar setup.

The ballot paper in Belize does not display the name of the political party.

The Elections and Boundaries Commission is responsible for assigning colours to each candidate or party. For the two major political parties, the practice has been to assign their traditional colours.

The conflict between Barrow and Panton has led to a scenario where both are determined to field candidates under the UDP banner or create confusion by contesting as independents or under a new banner. Given that political parties in Belize aren’t officially registered, the EBC’s role becomes pivotal. The Commission is tasked with assigning colours to candidates and parties, a process usually smooth when parties are clearly delineated. However, this year, they might need to mediate between factions within the UDP.

In such cases, the EBC members will resolve the issue through a majority vote, deciding which colour will be used. This process typically involves communication with the candidates, but if a resolution cannot be reached, the Commission has the final say. The assigned colour must be distinct enough to avoid voter confusion.

The EBC issues sample ballots before voting day to prepare voters. These samples will be crucial this year to clarify which candidates are aligned with which colors. This education effort is essential to ensure voters are not misled by the ballot’s appearance…