Elections Dept. seeks to educate public

National elections may be more than a year away, but the Elections and Boundaries Department is making sure from now that Belizeans understand what voting is all about. News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams reports.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

Part three of the Elections and Boundaries Commission’s public education campaign continued today. Designed for political and religious leaders, the half-day seminar prepared them for dialogue in a culture of democracy.

In addressing the gathering, Public Service Minister Jose Coye says it’s imperative that Belizeans are well informed when they’re going to the polls.

Jose Coye, Min. of Public Service

“I believe it is a very responsible choice to be made and it must be well informed. For in a democracy it is very likely that when we’re not sufficiently informed we can certainly elect people who are undemocratic. And that is where the risk in democracy is.”

Father Leroy Flowers, Anglican Parish Priest in charge of St. Mary’s, spoke of the role of the church in democracy. He says in order for democracy to work, there are certain fundamentals which must be applied.

Fr. Leroy Flowers, Priest, St. Mary’s Parish

“The right to question our leaders, both religious and political, to demand transparency and accountability in all aspects of national life. The right to respect another point of view without banishing that individual, which has become the norm in the political process in Belize, and the churches has been quiet for the past twenty-one years. A democracy that is dynamic and evolving for the common good of all mankind; an informed electorate that will not be bought for a bowl of soup, as is evident in the political process in this land.”

Flowers says all this is possible if only the church becomes more concerned with the national good than with the status quo.

In speaking about the role of political parties, Ombudsman Paul Rodriguez asked a few questions of the electorate.

Paul Rodriguez, Ombudsman

“Will an group other than the red or the blue so understand our fears and our needs and be so armed to present a vision that will attract and win the nation’s support? Two, if corruption is an issue, will it significantly influence voter decisions at polls?”

Whatever it is that will influence voters’ decisions at the polls is not clear. What is clear however, is that this participant is taking stock of the state of our nation.

Wilfredo Novelo, O.W. Resident

“We are in a very serious national situation right now, the way our people vote for handouts. And it seems that with every passing election, as the politicians get more corrupt and they have these foreign services or finance on backup, it is getting even worse. Hopefully the national dialogue can continue, the quicker the better, from the schools going onwards to high schools etc. Because we cannot continue running the country the way it is being done right now, with unscrupulous leaders, especially the politicians.”

Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.

Voting for City and Town Councils is slated for March fifth, 2003, while it is believed that general elections will follow in August.