B.P.P. Says it is Unconstitutional to Prevent COVID-19 Patients from Voting

Patrick Rogers

Like the P.U.P., the Belize Progressive Party says that Prime Minister’s decision to prevent COVID-19 patients from voting is unconstitutional. Leader Patrick Rogers says that it reeks of voter suppression, which he says can influence the outcome of the election in favour of the ruling party.  Rogers says that this move will disenfranchise over a thousand electors because of their health status.

Patrick Rogers, Leader, B.P.P.

“Unconstitutional, It should never be. We have people on remand who are not criminals per se and they will be disenfranchised. Now you are hearing that if you test positive with COVID you will be disenfranchised. Especially in a time where the COVID pandemic is only getting worse – so we are just being hit really with this thing and they are opening up to elections without properly planning it. We have heard some really good suggestions about multiple days so you can space out the people more; we have heard of mail in ballots that other countries use. There are not willing to try any of that. They are just like we need to go win this next term so come what may we will hold election on November eleventh.  The truth is what we have observed is that the voter turnout have been low in the countries that have held election. Clearly, with the COVID on the rise there may be a low voter turnout which the government figures favor them and rightly so. So, rushing the election through may be a strategy of theirs knowing that there are voters who will hesitate to go to the polls knowing that COVID is on the rise and as such that should favour the government of the day. But we believe that there should have been different regulations put in place on the day. That is why we are saying that the decision is unconstitutional. The House has been dissolved and they have taken that decision after the House has been dissolved and it is right in line with the dictatorial manner in which Dean Barrow has been bold with the people power and using it.”