Elections Dept. holds open house

There won’t be another big election until 2003 but that doesn’t mean the Elections and Boundaries Department is taking a siesta. Today the department held its second open house, called “Voters’ Day”, as part of a public awareness campaign to get Belizeans registered. Every district office set up displays and personnel discussed the voting process with visitors. Registering Officer Adrian Cowo told News Five that getting your little card is really no big problem.

Adrian Cowo, Registering Officer, Elections and Boundaries

“Especially when there is an election year is when time people get interested in coming and applying to be registered. We have a continuous registration, on a daily basis. The offices countrywide, they are open to serve the public and some of them, they do have interest, whenever they complete their 18th year because it is a requirement, they do come in and apply to registered to be an elector.”

“It is very important, it is imperative that Belizeans that qualify to be registered to be an elector, come in and apply. The documents that they need to produce are their birth certificate or a naturalization certificate or their passport or any other piece of identification.”

Janelle Chanona

“So to register, all you need to be is eighteen…?”

Adrian Cowo

“18. Be a Belizean by birth or naturalization. Be residing at least two months in an electoral division you are seeking registration.”

The Elections and Boundaries Department is also planning to launch a song called “Register to Vote” at the end of the week to encourage citizens to visit their offices. The department says all nine district offices should be fully computerized in the near future to improve efficiency and service to the public.