U.D.P. Leader Wants Diaspora Vote

Barrow has a wish to make necessary amendments, if his party becomes the next government, to allow for Belizeans living abroad who want to vote in subsequent elections to do so from where they live. Today, he explained to reporters his reason for holding this position on the matter. He used his mother, who lives abroad and who has lived in Mesopotamia and still supports that community, as an example for having this position.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“Right now as it stands, there are Belizean-Americans that come home to vote. And why do they need to do that? We can put the infrastructure in place. Bukele did it. The Americans do it. I’ll do a cost analysis and put the infrastructure in place so that they don’t have to come home. Those are the things that I promised.”

 

Reporter

“So you would support, within 100 days, or 200 days –.”

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Of course, I’m doing a cost analysis right now, so by the time we come.”

 

Reporter

“That Belizeans living in the United States and other countries, presumably.”

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Who come home to vote be allowed to vote there. They come home to vote anyway.”

 

Reporter

“Not all of them come home to vote. A small percentage.”

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“I’m just saying, they’re allowed.”

 

Reporter

“You don’t have a problem with the principle of being able to vote in a constituency in which you do not live, in which you do not live the reality?”

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“See, you look at the two examples, Bukele and the United States, when they say they treasure their diaspora, they live it through policy, through legislation. When we say we appreciate the remittance, we appreciate all the give back from our diaspora, which really helps our economy. How could you tell like my ma that supports whoever in Mesopotamia and I was born in Mesopotamia. We live in Mesopotamia. Why would my mother, who still helps people in Mesopotamia, not have a right to vote in the division where she has her ties and has her roots?”