Election Day Will Be Public and Bank Holiday

Election Day this year will be a public and bank holiday on Wednesday, November eleventh. And that is due to the COVID pandemic. The proposal was made by the Leader of the Opposition at the last sitting of the House of Representatives. The thinking is that a holiday will make it easier and safer for voters when they go to cast their votes at polls countrywide.  The government has so agreed and an SI was been issued saying, “It is hereby notified that Wednesday, November eleventh will be observed as a public and bank holiday. This is in accordance with Part 119 of the Holidays Act Chapter 289 of the laws of Belize.” It is signed by Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte. So voters will have ample time to vote and employees a little more in their pay check. But the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has noted that employers, already burdened by the pandemic, will have to pay staff time and half for work on the holiday. From what we learnt, this is only the second time that a holiday has been declared for elections day.