Belizean voters are taking to the polls today in the country’s general election, with both the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the opposition, the People’s United Party (PUP), appearing to be confident of claiming victory. Aside from the presidency, 31 seats in the House of Representatives are also being contested.
Earlier this year, long-time PM Dean Barrow, who led the country for more than 12 years, gave control of the party to Patrick Faber, who will be seeking to extend the UDP’s rule in office to four consecutive terms. He will be up against the center-left PUP, whose candidate is former Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Briceño. Briceño served under the PUP’s Said Musa, who was in office from 1998 to 2008.
The PUP’s party platform largely centers around economic issues. Belize’s economy has contracted for every quarter since April last year. Accordingly, the PUP has promised an $80 million stimulus package to aid the country’s recovery from the economic damage wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. Much of the recovery will center around tourism revenue, and the country’s main international airport just re-opened last month.
At the same time, some voters are hoping for Briceño to topple what many see as a UDP oligarchy. In fact, there have been allegations of corruption within the Barrow administration, with reports of “theft and misappropriation of public funds”. Furthermore, Barrow has been accused of nepotism, given that his sister is running on his previous ticket in Parliament, while his son, who is a convicted criminal, is also running for a seat in the Parliament.
The UDP, on the other hand, has pledged to build more schools and health facilities, and reduce poverty. Faber, for his part has said, “If I am not successful it is obvious then that it is time for the party to find a new leader. At this time, as I said, we have put in the hard work. It has been five long hard years of work. We have reorganized the party, united the party. We have modernized the party.”
Away from the economic and political arena, authorities are also working tirelessly to address the logistical concerns of holding an election during a pandemic. The Belize Election and Boundaries Department revealed that 182,815 citizens are eligible to vote in a country with just around 400,000 people. At voting stations, physical distancing and mask-wearing will be strictly enforced and required. In addition, a curfew will be implemented on election night from 8pm until 5am, wherein in only the media, political candidates and their assistants, and essential workers are allowed outside. Moreover, coronavirus-positive citizens will not be allowed to vote.
The country has thus far recorded 4,230 cases of COVID-19 and 71 deaths. Aside from the pandemic, Belize has also been hit by Tropical Storm Eta, which has caused flooding in various regions of the country.
Belize Ruling Party Seeks Four Consecutive Terms as Opposition Seeks to Topple ‘Oligarchy’
Allegations of corruption and nepotism have been leveled at the Barrow administration amidst a continued economic downturn.
November 12, 2020
IMAGE SOURCE: DAVID ALIRE / REUTERSAway from the economic and political arena, authorities are also working tirelessly to address the logistical concerns of holding an election during a pandemic.