U.D.P. central executive and national party council support yes vote for referendum

Doug Singh

The convention also served as an occasion for the U.D.P. to conclude party affairs. In addition to changing the age of which a person can join the party from fifteen to thirteen, an important decision was taken regarding the Belize/Guatemala Referendum, although to a quieter audience. Former U.D.P. Chairman Doug Singh announced that the party would support a yes vote to take Guatemala’s unfounded claim to the International Court of Justice and that measure passed without any dissenting voice.

Doug Singh, Former U.D.P. Chairman

“On eighth December 2008, Belize and Guatemala entered into a special agreement in which Belize and Guatemala agreed to have a referendum on a mutually accepted date. That the question to be submitted to referenda shall be: “Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize related to land and insular territory and any maritime areas pertaining to these territories should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement and that it determine finally the boundaries of the respected territories and areas of the parties?” On December six, 2013, Belizeans all across the country will have the opportunity to vote at a referendum on Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claim to Belize. The central executive and the national party council of the United Democratic Party has met and considered the question and has voted to support the referendum process and a yes vote. We hereby resolve that the U.D.P. supporters support both the referendum process and a yes vote and encourages all registered voters to vote on referendum day. we further resolve that while U.D.P. supports the referendum process and a yes vote, this party’s position should not restrict any party supporter from voting their conscience on this very important question. Thank you.”

The Belize/Guatemala referendum is scheduled for October sixth.