Julius Still Supports the Need for Redistricting
Julius Espat
Still on the matter of general elections, the Belize Peace Movement says that the Elections and Boundaries Commission is displaying gross negligence. It has launched a case, requesting the court to order the government to carry out a redistricting exercise for fair representation. The B.P.M. says that it had requested annual reports from the Elections and Boundaries Commission. The B.P.M. says it has received a letter from the Elections and Boundaries Department, saying that the Commission has failed to produce and submit the legally mandated annual reports since 2010. Astonishingly, the letter further confirms that for the last thirty years, the reports were “filed intermittently.” The BPM classifies such failure as gross negligence since the Representation of the People Act says that “The Commission shall within three months of the close of a calendar year submit to the Governor General an annual report of its activities along with any recommendation it may wish to make.” The B.P.M. also says that it finds the response, channelled through the Elections and Boundaries Department on behalf of the Commission, to be administratively incestuous since the Commission, a constitutional body, should not entangle the government department and public officers in what is clearly a matter for the Commission. Today, we asked the P.U.P.’s Area Representative for Cayo South, Julius Espat if he supports a redistricting. Espat says he does, but just not right now.
Julius Espat, Area Rep., Cayo South
“I personally believe that it is important. It is necessary. It is constitutionally right.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you believe that that court case might happen before…”
Julius Espat
“I am not an attorney. I don t know. I am ready for elections now. I ready for anything. I ready to rumble in the jungle.”
Reporter
“But you don’t want them to postpone the elections?”
Julius Espat
“If the law says I have to then I have to. I don’t have a choice. But I don’t think it is the appropriate time but I think it is merited. It is needed. It has to be done. Why did Dean Barrow wait until now because he is playing games. That is why I don’t deal with that bally because he is playing games. Why did you bring a situation like this before an election? That is ridiculous.”
Reporter
“I don’t think he brought…”
Julius Espat
“Don’t defend your boss Jules. It is his indecision that has us where we are.”
Reporter
“It is Elections and Boundaries.”
Julius Espat
“It is his indecision because he controls Elections and Boundaries. In fact it falls under his ministry.”
