Posted: Friday, February 28, 2025. 10:27 am CST.

The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.

By Dylan Vernon, TIME COME #21, 26 February 2025.

IN two weeks, Belize will successfully execute its tenth general election and seventh peaceful change of government since 1984. Ninety candidates are in the race for 31 golden tickets. Election apathy seems higher than in recent memory. This is largely because the incumbent People’s United Party (PUP), boasting accomplishments, is likely to win even bigger majorities than its 26-5 majority in 2020. Two of its candidates have already won before the voting begins! The divided and anemic Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) is offering no serious electoral challenge in most divisions – and have two candidates running in several. Sadly, like most past general elections, the voters are not being offered substantive choices. There are no informed debates on long-term visions or competing innovative public policies to address persistent social, economic and governance challenges. The real choices, for too many, boil down to which candidates and which party have the biggest and best-oiled handout machine.  Like all past elections, 2025 will be another microcosm of the good, the bad and the ugly about elections in Belize.

The Good

Aplausos! “Belize enjoys a mature democracy and a well-functioning electoral process.” Such was the conclusion of Commonwealth Election Observers in 2008, and we can expect similar blanket assessments in 2025.

‘Free and Fair’: Indeed, when it comes to our technical record of formal elections, Belize ranks very well globally. Since independence, there have been nine ‘free and fair’ general elections, with the UDP winning five and the PUP four. Voter turnout has been high with an average of 76%. Ballot tampering or election rigging have not happened. We have had six peaceful alternations of parties in power and no military coups. Only once, in 2012, did a losing party (the PUP) refused to accept an election result over accusations that the election was bought.

Electoral Rights: With occasional blips, most Belizeans enjoy basic human rights, including the right to vote, to compete to be in the House of Representatives and to protest on the streets. We have basic institutions to manage elections and sometimes external election observers. Personal access to our elected representatives is relatively easy given our small population. The press can write and say almost anything they want about national issues. While it brings its dangers, social media has made it cheaper and easier for alternative parties and voices (especially youth) to get their messages out and stimulate debate.

Political Reform Processes: Over time, led by civil society groups, Belizeans have engaged in extensive political and constitutional reform debates that have resulted in a few positive constitutional amendments and legislative initiatives. The current People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) is Belize’s second national constitutional reform commission process since independence. As we will see below, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but some countries don’t even have the opportunity for debating reform.

Positive Trends: Comparatively speaking, we have had a fairly active civil society sector that can and, occasionally do, advocate for policy changes. Unlike other multi-ethnic states in the region, such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, Belize has avoided ethnically divisive party politics in its elections. Both major parties get support from all ethnic groups. Since 2000, we have constitutional and legal processes to trigger both referenda and constituency recall elections. And prime ministers cannot serve over three consecutive terms.

And 2025? There is no reason to believe that the 2025 election will be any different in terms of being deemed ‘free and fair’ and in terms of the losers conceding the result. The Belize Defense Force (nor Chester) will attempt a coup d’état. The ninety persons nominated for the 31 seats is more than the last election: 31 PUP, 41 UDP and 18 from alternative parties and independents. Voter turnout will most likely be well below average, but the PUP will tie the UDP’s record of five post-independence wins. Political parties will again make rhetorical promises of electoral and governance reform.

But we know, from studying other countries and our own political history, that ‘good’ numbers about our elections can mean little if elections are not really ‘fair and free’ and do not advance social democracy. We have to assess our record on other variables.

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The post The Good: Elections 2025 – Time Come appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Friday, February 28, 2025. 10:27 am CST. The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize
The post The Good: Elections 2025 – Time Come appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.