Legal Challenge Looms Over Belize Ahead of General Election

A group of Belizean voters has initiated legal action against the government over its failure to implement redistricting measures before the next general election. Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey, represented by their legal counsel, are seeking constitutional redress over what they claim is a breach of their democratic rights under Section 90 of the Constitution.

The dispute arises from a 2019 consent order, in which the government and the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) acknowledged the need to redefine electoral district boundaries to ensure fairness and equality in representation. The EBC submitted its proposals in July 2023, which were incorporated into the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024, tabled in the National Assembly in May 2024. However, despite its majority in Parliament, the government has not debated or passed the bill.

With political campaign activity increasing and the possibility of an imminent election announcement, the claimants argue that holding elections under the existing electoral boundaries would be illegal and unconstitutional. They contend that the outdated boundaries violate Section 90’s requirement that each division should have as equal a number of voters as possible.

Legal representatives for the claimants warn that proceeding with elections without implementing the redistricting changes could lead to a constitutional crisis, potentially invalidating the election results. The failure to update electoral boundaries, they argue, would constitute deliberate disenfranchisement and undermine the legitimacy of Belize’s democratic process.

The legal team has given the government until February 5, 2025, to confirm whether it intends to call elections without first passing the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024. If the government fails to respond or refuses to commit to the necessary reforms, the claimants will file for constitutional redress and seek an urgent court order to block the election from proceeding under the current boundaries.

A special sitting of Parliament is scheduled for February 7, 2025.