PUP Press Conference

June 12, 2012

Statement on Re-registration
By Hon. Rodwell Ferguson

An analysis of the present Electoral Lists demonstrates that generally the Lists are bloated and disproportionate. The bloating has arisen over time primarily due to: 1. Deceased persons 2. Persons no longer residing in the community or in the country. 3. Paddedunusual large number of persons with no relations registered at the same address 4. New registrants not qualified to enter the Electoral Lists in January and February of 2012 All of the above became painfully obvious during activities leading up to the 2012 Elections. SI 17 dated January 7, 2012 limits the time for objections to electors by 50%, and extended the final registration period to deliberately accommodate the newly naturalized Belizeans in January and February of 2012 to vote in the March 2012 Elections. As a result, neither time nor manpower was permitted for proper investigations to be carried out by Registering Officers; and for Electors to object to new entrants to the Electoral Lists prior to the March 2012 elections. When the law is so manipulated by the Party in Government as is the case with SI 17 of 2012, it leaves a clear disadvantage for all other competing Political Parties. This was purposeful action taken by the Government through the Elections and Boundaries Commission and is in violation of the principle of democracy. Also persons whose names were listed in particular Electoral Divisions could not be found at these addresses and oftentimes anywhere in the communities. In San Pedro Ambergris Caye over 1,000 persons representing over 1/5 of the Belize Rural South constituency no longer lived on the Island or perhaps in the country. The situation was the same for Mesopotamia and Queens Square. In Port Loyola, households were found to have large numbers of registered electors who were not known to the present occupiers of these residences. In the Stann Creek West Electoral Division where there are large geographic distances to cover, the experiences

were the same; and therefore we are calling for a re-registration exercise to clean the Electoral Lists. Stann Creek West is also one of the fastest growing area of the country and therefore the most populated constituency at 7,888 electors (February 2012). The productive sector of the Country overwhelmingly voted for the PUP and in particular the southern constituencies of the Country. Now it is widespread rumour that instead of cleaning the bloated Electoral Lists which is due to commence on July 1, that the Government will be looking to divide Stann Creek West and other such constituencies by conducting redistricting exercises. and money. This is a concern to me as an Area Representative. And the question I am asking is what Due to the partisan nature of the Redistricting will not clean the Electoral Lists and does not come into to effect until the next elections; therefore a waste of time

would be the purpose or intent for this government to set aside much needed Re-registration exercise to clean the Electoral Lists for Redistricting? implementing agency, the Election and Boundaries Commission, coupled with the powerful effects boundary redistricting can have on constituencies, the concern is that this is an effort by the Government to conduct discriminatory electoral boundary adjustments or gerrymandering to intentionally carve winning niches for the UDP. They will also fund cronies as Caretakers in these new areas, thereby undermining elected representation. The PUP is therefore calling on the Government to be mindful of improving the quality of our democracy and to: 1. Reform the Re-registration and Continuous Registration rules pertaining to House to House enquiry, transfer of electors, the period for objection, including repealing SI 17 of 2012 and replacing it with a rule that will guarantee no less than 10 days for objections. 2. Schedule the re-registration exercise which becomes due on July 1, 2012 3. Correct by boundary redistricting any electoral division disproportional after the reregistration exercise.