The Government of Belize will abide by the court's ruling, Attorney General Anthony Sylvester told the media this week when asked about the Belize Peace Movement's (BPM) allegation that the government is using stalling tactics in the ongoing redistricting case.
"Unfortunately, I may not be able to say much in terms of the comment and the criticism or critique that has been made by the Belize Peace Movement because those are evidentiary matters that the judge is considering. A decision, I think, is forthcoming sometime in July," Sylvester stated.
The BPM claims that the government's actions, including the submission of a second affidavit by the chairperson of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, aim to dismiss the case rather than comply with the redistricting mandate. They argue that the government is failing to ensure fair representation for all Belizean voters, a constitutional requirement.
Prime Minister John Briceño acknowledged the urgency of the redistricting process, warning that delays could lead to constitutional non-compliance. Despite this acknowledgment, the BPM remains critical, emphasizing the need to address extreme malapportionment in Belize’s electoral divisions.
Sylvester assured that the government would act in accordance with the court's decision, whether it results in the dismissal of the case or a finding of breach of the consent order. "If the matter is dismissed, then the BPM, I suppose, will seek counsel and determine the next course of action. If the government is held to be in breach of the consent order, then government obviously will have to take steps to remedy that," he explained.
The BPM has vowed to continue court action if the government does not produce a redistricting draft that aligns with the Constitution of Belize and international standards. The movement insists that the current inequalities in electoral divisions undermine democratic governance.
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