BPM’s Attorney Says Cabinet Shouldn’t Intervene in Redistricting Process

Arthur Saldivar

The claim was initially filed by the Belize Peace Movement, however, legal counsel Arthur Saldivar has come forward to say that Cabinet should not interfere with the process since the Supreme Court is yet to hand down a decision in the matter.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney, Belize Peace Movement

“The news of Cabinet’s intervention is somewhat regrettable because this is not a matter for Cabinet at all, it would amount to executive overreach.  We have separation of powers as part of our democratic traditions which is the tradition of all democratic countries and the legislature is independent and apart from the executive.  The constitutional duty to act in relation to the unconstitutionality of our state of affairs as it relates to Section Ninety falls squarely upon the Elections and Boundaries Commission and it’s the commission and the commission alone, acting in autonomy that has the duty to inform parliament of its recommendations.  So to have Cabinet issue a public statement is tantamount to overreach and certainly it is regrettable that they would do so.  It shows a clear-cut misapprehension of what the constitution entails and this is very sad, considering that I believe that lawyers are in that party.”