Chief Elections Officer keeps mum

While the politicians gear up for what is expected to be a general election in no less than seven weeks, we can only assume that the nation’s electoral apparatus is well geared and ready to go. Reports from registering officers nationwide indicate that the registration process is proceeding smoothly and fairly, but our efforts to find out the specifics of, for example, how a simultaneous national and municipal ballot might be handled, remain unsuccessful. Responding to our request for an interview, Chief Elections Officer, Myrtle Palacio told News 5 that despite all the hype, no date has been set for a national election and until the Prime Minister sets that date she will not engage in any speculation on what the Elections and Boundaries Department may or may not be prepared for. While Palacio chooses not to comment on the future, a press release is touting the past accomplishments of the department. The public is invited to visit its website at belize-elections.org, which highlights the department’s goals and missions, its six publications as well as the staff retreat and awards for 2002.