Ministry will improve operation of village elections

The fracas in the Orange Walk district during the election of the Trial Farm Village Council has highlighted the fact that Belize’s two mass parties are both taking very seriously an electoral event that in the past barely made a blip on the political radar. As we’ve reported, results so far have proved confusing as both parties are claiming some of the same councils among their supporters. But while the politicians quibble over the outcome, behind the scenes, officials of the Ministry of National Development are trying to keep the peace by preserving the sanctity of the election process itself. But this morning Minister Mark Espat admitted they were not prepared for the present level of partisanship.

Mark Espat, Minister, National Development
“Well I think with the stakes being what they are, the General Elections being a year or so away or closer, I’m not surprised at the level of activity. It certainly is a barometer for how the voters are feeling, even though in these elections permanent residents are allowed to vote and so it’s not exactly like General Elections and of course the General will be candidate versus candidate so, I’m not surprised.”

Janelle Chanona
“And the Ministry has been able to take on this added dimension to this process?”

Mark Espat
“The truth is that while I think the staff, Mrs. Lilia Zayden and Mr. O’Brien and all the rural community development officers have been doing a fantastic job, as well as the Elections and Boundaries we have not raised the level of the preparations and the management to the same level as the political parties have. And so whether it is to have an additional voting booth, for example, to reduce the waiting time for people to vote, being far more formal in terms of the processes, we will be working on that. We are making improvements because as you know it is over five weekends and we have a chance to improve but certainly at the end of the exercise we will be taking a paper to cabinet and making public what we would recommend that the adjustments are for the elections when they are held in 2010.”

Village council elections continue on Sunday.