Should Prisoners on Remand Be Allowed to Vote?

Should prisoners on remand at the Belize Central Prison be allowed to vote? Attorney Michelle Trapp Zuniga from the Justice for Humans Project thinks so. She has written to the Chairman of the Election and Boundaries Department, asking that prisoners on remand be allowed to vote in the upcoming general election. Zuniga is advocating for this right to be given to prisoners serving sentences of twelve months or less and who are registered in their respective divisions. She also requested that reasonable arrangements be made to facilitate this process, emphasizing that their constitutional rights would be violated if these arrangements weren’t made. Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre, who was copied on the letter, mentioned today that he hasn’t seen it yet.

 

Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General

“I checked with the Chief elections officer and my office and we have not received any specific correspondence as yet. I don’t know if this is some previous correspondence that has been sent. I read the social media post and the impression it gave is that some letter was sent yesterday or recently. As far as my office is concerned we have not received any such document recently.”

 

Reporter

“But if you were to receive one and the elections and boundaries department.”

Anthony Sylvestre

“They would clearly have to review it and send it to our office and we would review and the would seek our advice on the matter.”

Reporter

“This is the first time something like this is being raised though.”

 

Anthony Sylvestre

“Yes to my knowledge, but what I should point out that before someone could even entertain he prospects of voting they have to be on the voters list. All of those are things that would have to be looked at.”