The High Court has given parties until the close of business on Friday to submit written arguments in a case seeking to delay Belize’s upcoming March 12 general elections. Development consultant Jeremy Enriquez has filed an urgent injunction challenging the election date, arguing that a long-overdue redistricting exercise must be completed first.
Nomination Day is set for February 25.
The legal challenge was filed by former Trinidad and Tobago attorney general Anand Ramlogan, who is asking the court to not only block the elections but also direct Prime Minister John Briceño to revoke his advice to Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam on dissolving Parliament. The application also seeks to prevent the Governor General from issuing the writ of election, which has already been completed.
Senior counsels Eamon Courtenay and Godfrey Smith appeared before Justice Tawanda Hondora to oppose the injunction.
Redistricting Debate Takes Center Stage
Ramlogan argued that holding elections without first redrawing electoral boundaries would be unconstitutional, as the current system is outdated and unfair. However, Courtenay countered that the separation of powers doctrine prevents the High Court from undoing the dissolution of Parliament.
“Even if Parliament were to be reinstated, there wouldn’t be enough time to complete a redistricting process before the elections,” Courtenay stated. He also pointed out that any redistricting proposal could be voted down in Parliament, further delaying the process.
The attorney warned that postponing the elections would allow the prime minister to remain in office beyond his five-year term, creating an undemocratic precedent.
Additionally, Courtenay dismissed Enriquez’s claims, arguing that there is no constitutional obligation for citizens to be notified in advance about when elections will be called. He also questioned the urgency of the injunction, noting that Enriquez had since 2020 to challenge redistricting but waited until now to bring the matter before the court.
Elections and Boundaries Commission Granted Leave to Intervene
The Elections and Boundaries Commission has been granted permission to intervene in the proceedings and submit its position by Monday.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups like the Belize Peace Movement (BPM) have long called for redistricting before any new elections. Political observers suggest this legal challenge could potentially delay the electoral process.
United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Shyne Barrow has also pushed for a “meaningful and fair” redistricting exercise before the next general election, originally expected by November 2024.
“The UDP joins the Belize Peace Movement, Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey in their fight for redistricting to be completed before the general election is called. We implore all democratic allies of Belize, civil society, social activists, and guardians of democracy everywhere to join in this fight. Equal representation matters in our sacred democracy,” Barrow said.
With no interim order granted, all eyes remain on the High Court’s ruling, which could have significant implications for Belize’s political landscape and election timeline.
