The BPM and IP challenge the Lection and Boundaries Commission for violating the Constitution

Arthur Saldivar

Тhіѕ morning, Сhіеf Јuѕtісе Kеnnеth Веnјаmіn hеаrd frоm the Belize Peace Movement  and the Vision Inspired by the People in their case against thе Еlесtіоnѕ аnd Воundаrіеѕ Соmmіѕѕіоn in which they claim that that the thirty-one electoral constituencies are disproportionate. As such, the claimants are asserting that the government is in violation of the Constitution of Belize which states at Section ninety that “each electoral division shall have as nearly as may be an equal number of persons eligible to vote.” The case is still in its infancy stage and at the previous court session, the claimants were given an opportunity to amend the claim. Today, when they re-appeared in court the matter still could not proceed since more time was needed to file the documents. Attorney Arthur Saldivar spoke to the media after the brief court session.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney

“Now today we just informed the court what is done, what is to be done to have the court appreciate that we are moving forward with this matter, because it is a very important matter for the people and country of Belize. So what is where we are now.”

Reporter

“What is the amendment about? Can you share?”

Arthur Saldivar

“Well in particular what it is really about is that under part 56 of the CPR, Civil Porcedures Rules, there are two administrative actions that can be brought to review, .one would be in relation to decisions made by public authority  that would require judicial review and for judicial review you would  require leave of the court, permission to actually bring it. The other is in relation to matters affecting the constitution itself. Ours impact on both sides. Not necessarily because a decision was made but because one was not made, an omission to act when there is a duty to act.  But since that omission exists and there is no decision made or ever been made it would have been better for us to come to a constitutional challenge direct, so that is what we are doing.”