BELMOPAN, Belize, Mar 12, CMC – An estimated 191,018 Belizeans are eligible to cast ballots on Wednesday in a general election that Prime Minister John Briceño called nine months ahead of the constitutional deadline.
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) said that there are 90 candidates seeking to take control of the 31-seat Parliament and that polling stations will open at 7.00 am (9.00 am ECT) for a 11 hour period to allow voters to cast their ballots.
The Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, has warned voters against photographing their ballot and if caught, law enforcement will confiscate the device, and face a fine of up to BDZ$500 (One Belize dollar=US$0.49 cents) or even jail.
Tamai said that the “vote is private and must remain secret, so refrain from taking selfies or capturing any part of the voting process”.
The elections are being held amid the ongoing debates about the need for redistricting.