Seminar examines electoral process

Elections are a regular part of life in democratic societies and in Belize they have become a particular form of social event, with their own etiquette, protocol and rules of engagement. Today, the Elections and Boundaries Commission held a seminar to help us understand more about this sometimes mysterious process. News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams was there.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

Media representatives, members of government organisations and civil society met at the Radisson this morning to create a national dialogue for a culture of democracy. Chief Elections Officer Myrtle Palacio says today’s event is aimed at educating the voter’s.

Myrtle Palacio, Chief Elections Officer

“As you know, we launched this in November ’99 and we have been everywhere: in schools, organisations, we’ve put out flyers, brochures, been on the radio. We are now looking to stakeholders, particular stakeholders who will carry the message. And we’re looking to the media first and civil society, and we’ll have another workshop for political parties and churches. We need the participation at that level.”

And the participation at that level will get the message out. According to Legal Draughtsman in the Attorney General’s Ministry, Alhaji Tejan Cole, the representation of the People’s Act, which governs the electoral process, contains several pointers the voters need to know.

For example, when an elector changes his or her address, the registering officer should be notified by law.

Alhaji Tejan Cole, Legal Draughtsman

“By election day, when the election is approaching, he suddenly remember, oh I moved last year. So if the registering officer is satisfied with the notice that I have moved, then the registering officer shall alter the registration card of the elector in order to effect the change. This is very important, the change of address.”

Important because the elector has to transfer the registration in order to be eligible to vote in the new area of residence.

Senator Margaret Ventura spoke of the role of public officers in the process.

Sen. Margaret Ventura, Presenter

“The Commonwealth foundation in its work, reviving democracy, citizens at the heart to governance, has pointed out that citizens are missing from governance and politics. That’s a very, very important statement. We can also hear voters who have the right to vote in Belize say, oh when election time comes, I’m sorry, I’m not interested.”

Ventura says just looking back in history should make us realise how sacred a right it is to vote.

Sen. Margaret Ventura

“Eligibility to register: you must be a British subject–in those days–be twenty-one years or over, own real property valued at seven pounds, and receive a salary of a hundred pounds per year. My, my how things have changed.”

So much so that if you’re a commonwealth citizen living in Belize for a twelve months you too can exercise your franchise. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.

Part two of the Elections and Boundaries Commission’s voter education campaign will be held for the political parties and churches later this month.