Will there be Redistricting in a Second Briceño Administration?

The Briceño administration is currently in the hot seat at the High Court, thanks to a claim by the Belize Peace Movement (BPM) over the long-delayed redistricting exercise. With the general election just around the corner, we asked Prime Minister John Briceño if this failure is a black mark on his People’s United Party Government.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I can give you an assurance that as soon as we get in, that will be a priority, we have to do re-districting in the next government and I plan to work on it… well not us, and it’s not the government, but the Elections and Boundaries Commission.  We need to know the process but they are the ones that lead the process for the redistricting exercise and it’s given to the government to then take to the house.  It’s the house that then either accepts or rejects the results of the redistricting exercise.

 

Isani Cayetano

“Do you believe that it had to have gone to the extent where it is before the court now or it should have been something that, I would want to think, could have been dealt with in short order, considering the fact that you were on the side of redistricting prior to November 2020.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“You really di try find something weh gaan wrong wid dis government, through?

 

Isani Cayetano

“I’m just calling it what it is.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I’m not gonna argue on that one.  I believe that the Elections and Boundaries Commission could have worked faster or more diligently and probably have more consultations with the public and to see how best it can work.  And so, at the end of the day, we are the government and I, as the head, have to take the responsibility.  So, I will take responsibility for that and I can assure that we want, as soon as we get in, to make sure that we start working on it.  I’m hoping that one or two years at the most, we should be able to already have that settled.”