2020 Belizean general election

Last updated

2020 Belizean general election
Flag of Belize.svg
  2015 11 November 2020 2025  

All 31 seats in the House of Representatives
16 seats needed for a majority
Turnout81.86% (Increase2.svg 9.17pp)
 First partySecond party
  John Briceno (cropped).jpg Patrick Faber (cropped).jpg
Leader Johnny Briceño Patrick Faber
Party PUP UDP
Last election12 seats19 seats
Seats won265
Seat changeIncrease2.svg14Decrease2.svg14
Popular vote88,04057,374
Percentage59.60%38.84%
SwingIncrease2.svg 11.83pp Decrease2.svg 11.68pp

Belize general election 2020 - Results by Constituency.svg
Most voted-for party by constituency

Prime Minister before election

Dean Barrow
UDP

Subsequent Prime Minister

Johnny Briceño
PUP

General elections were held in Belize on 11 November 2020 to elect the 31 members of the House of Representatives. [1] Nomination day was 21 October. [2]

Contents

The People's United Party achieved its first national election victory since 2003, winning 26 seats, while the incumbent United Democratic Party had its worst result since 1998, winning the remaining 5 seats. [3] Despite the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a recent tropical storm, election turnout was over 81%, the highest since 1998. [4]

The election also featured the first female party leader and Prime Ministerial candidate in Belizean general election history: Nancy Marin, leader of the Belize People's Front. [5]

Several high-profile MP's also chose not to contest the elections. The previous prime minister, Dean Barrow (UDP), was constitutionally required to step down after serving three terms in office; having been an MP since 1984, he also decided to retire from the House. His predecessor as prime minister, Said Musa (PUP), also chose to retire; Musa was the last remaining MP to have served before independence in 1981.

Date

The previous general elections were held on 4 November 2015, and the new National Assembly was opened on 13 November 2015. [6] According to Section 84 of the Constitution of Belize, the National Assembly must be dissolved "five years from the date when the two Houses of the former National Assembly first met" unless dissolved sooner by the Governor-General of Belize upon the advice of the prime minister. [7] A general election must be called within three months of a dissolution, which meant the latest possible date for the next Belizean general election would be 13 February 2021. [6]

Despite the five-year term, three of the last four general elections had been called at least a year early. Both Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the opposition People's United Party were on record supporting the reduction of the maximum term of the National Assembly to four years. [8]

Barrow initially stated his intention to retire as Prime Minister no later than the end of 2019, but changed his mind to stay on until 2020 at the urging of his Cabinet. However, he said that he would still retire as the United Democratic Party Leader at the party's national convention and leadership election, which was first tentatively scheduled for 9 February 2020. He strongly hinted at a snap election in early 2020. [9] But in May 2019, Barrow dismissed that remark and said that elections would be held in November 2020. [10]

On 5 October 2020, Barrow called the elections for 11 November, with Nominations Day on 21 October. The Writ of Election was formally filed by the Governor-General immediately afterwards. [2] He advised the Governor-General to dissolve the National Assembly on 6 October. [11]

The Belize Peace Movement (BPM), a civil society organisation, filed a court petition in December 2019 for a redistricting process to be held before the next elections. In the BPM's view, the district map in use did not reflect the distribution of the population, leading to unequal representation. As no action had been taken by the court before the election announcement on 6 October, the BPM filed for a Supreme Court injunction on 13 October to delay the election until this process could be completed. The PUP joined the case on the side of the government, arguing that they would lose their campaign money if the election were to be delayed. On 28 October, acting Chief Justice Michelle Arana ruled in favour of the Government: as the election process had already begun and the National Assembly had already been dissolved, the court did not have jurisdiction to intervene. [12]

During election week, Tropical Storm Eta led to flooding in parts of the country. While Barrow acknowledged that postponing the election would be possible (with the approval of the participating parties), he decided to stay with 11 November as there was no explicit provision for postponement in the Constitution. [13]

Debates

For the first time since 1998, [14] a Prime Ministerial debate was held, organized jointly by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Galen University and LOVE FM. [15] It was scheduled for 28 October, and the rules and format were taken from the Jamaica Debates Commission. [16] The questions were submitted by a variety of local NGO's, business associations, and unions. As of 23 October, three of the four invited party leaders had announced their participation in the debate. [17] The remaining invitee, Johnny Briceño of the PUP, wanted to meet privately with the organizers before deciding to participate. The organizers had already released the debate rules publicly; since one of the rules prohibited private communication between the organizers and the participants, the organizers did not reply to the PUP. [16] Patrick Faber of the UDP then decided not to participate either. [18] In the end, the debate was held between Belize Progressive Party leader Patrick Rogers and Belize People's Front leader Nancy Marin. [19] The debate was livestreamed on each of the organizer's Facebook pages, attracting 33,500 viewers overall. [20]

At the constituency level, the Dangriga-based NGO "Citizens for Good Governance" (CGG) organized a debate on 3 November between the two challenger candidates, Louis Zabaneh (PUP) and John Suazo (BPF). The incumbent, Frank Mena (UDP), declined to participate. [21] [22] This debate was broadcast live on Dangriga Cable Vision (Channel 58). [23] It was also livestreamed from the Facebook pages of the CGG, Southern Belize Media, and Tropical Vision Limited. [24]

Background

Contesting parties

With the exception of the Belize Progressive Party, led by Patrick Rogers in the 2015 elections, all parties were contesting under first-time leaders.

PartyPositionIdeologyLeader

(since)

Slogan and ManifestoCampaign Song
United Democratic Party (UDP) Centre-right Conservatism Patrick Faber
(October 2020)
"Because YOUR Future Matters" [25] "Your Future Matters!"

"Staying with the UDP" [26]

People's United Party (PUP) Centre to centre-left Christian democracy
Social democracy
Nationalism
Johnny Briceño
(January 2016)
"#PlanBelize" [27] "Vote BLU, Everybody fi win" (Todos Ganamos)" [28]
Belize Progressive Party (BPP) Centre-left to left-wing Social democracy
Reformism
Republicanism
Patrick Rogers
(September 2015)
"Changing the system in Belize" [29] "For Progress! BPP for Belize!" [30]
Belize People's Front (BPF) Centre to centre-left Progressivism

Christian democracy

Nancy Marin
(October 2013)
"Breaking Corruption. Building a Nation." [31] "Time fi mek di change" "BELIZE" [32]

UDP

The ruling United Democratic Party, in power since 2008, attempted to win a fourth consecutive general election. However, as the Constitution of Belize limits the Prime Minister to three terms in office, [33] the UDP needed to contest with a new leader. To this end, the incumbent UDP leader and Prime Minister Dean Barrow had stated his intention to step down from both posts in the months leading up to the election. The UDP tentatively scheduled a May 2019 convention to name Barrow's successor as party leader, [34] but in January 2019 the date was pushed back to February 2020. Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber and Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar contested the position. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Pickstock Area Representative Wilfred Elrington had also been mentioned as a possible candidate, but did not stand in the convention. [35] [36]

On 9 February 2020, Saldivar was elected UDP leader over Faber, but three days later was forced to resign after allegations surfaced he accepted US$50,000 from accused fraudster Lev Dermen, who was on trial in Salt Lake City. Saldivar was also stripped of his Cabinet post. [37]

On 12 July 2020, a second leadership convention was held with Faber, Saldivar, and Elrington as candidates. This time, Faber won with a margin of 19 votes over Saldivar (286 to 267). Elrington received 10 votes. [38] Faber was formally inaugurated as party leader on 9 October, with Barrow continuing to serve as Prime Minister until the elections. [39]

PUP

Despite gains in Belize City in 2015, most notably Kareem Musa's upset win over Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley in the Caribbean Shores constituency, the opposition PUP remained at 11 seats overall thanks to losses in the Cayo and Corozal Districts. For its leader, the PUP chose Johnny Briceño, who had served as Deputy Prime Minister in the previous PUP administration. [40] Francis Fonseca, who led the party during the past two general elections, resigned from leadership soon after the party's 2015 loss. Although Briceño served a previous term as PUP leader from 2008 to 2011, he had yet to lead the party during a general election. [41] Briceño, who represented a constituency in Orange Walk Town, was the first PUP member to lead the party in an election from outside Belize City. Belizean news sources pointed out that the PUP nominated only 2 female candidates out of 31 total, while the UDP had nominated 5. [42]

BPP

The Belize Progressive Party, which made its electoral debut in 2015 but failed to win any seats, announced its intention to contest nine seats, [43] of which they ultimately filed for eight.

BPF

The Belize People's Front, a progressive party, announced its intention to contest 17 seats, [44] of which they ultimately filed for 13. The party was founded in 2013, but this was its first general election. [45] BPF leader Nancy Marin was the first female political party leader in Belize. [42]

Retirements

The election was marked by several high-profile retirements. Fonseca had initially indicated that he would not stand in this election. [46] However, he decided to stay for the last time. Former PUP leader Said Musa also stood down from his seat in this election. Musa, who contested the Belize City-based Fort George constituency in every election since 1974, was the sole remaining House member from before Belize's 1981 independence from Great Britain. [47]

On the UDP side, former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega also announced that he would stand down. [48] Other announced UDP retirements include Barrow – who had served in the Belize House continuously since 1984 – and Michael Finnegan, who had been in office since 1993. Moses Barrow, Dean Barrow's son and Finnegan's nephew, was nominated to succeed Finnegan as the UDP standard bearer in the Mesopotamia constituency. [49] Veteran UDP Area Representative Wilfred Elrington also did not seek re-election. [50]

Candidates by district

Belize District

DistrictDivisionUDPPUPBPPBPFIncumbent [51]
Belize Freetown Orson Jerome "OJ" Elrington Francis Fonseca Francis Fonseca
Belize Caribbean Shores Lee Mark Chang Kareem David Musa Kareem Musa
Belize Pickstock Anthony "Uncle Boots" Martinez Anthony Robert MahlerPatrick Raymond Rogers Wilfred Elrington
Belize Fort George Melvin "Mello" HewlettHenry Charles Usher Sr.William "Wil" Maheia Said Musa
Belize Albert Tracy Ann Panton Paul Adrian Thompson Tracy Ann Panton
Belize Queen's Square Denise "Sista B" BarrowAllan PollardGary Matus Dean Barrow
Belize Mesopotamia Shyne Barrow (Dr.) Candice Pitts Michael Finnegan
Belize Lake Independence Dianne "Miss D" Finnegan Cordel Hyde Cordel Hyde
Belize Collet Patrick Faber Oscar "Polo" Arnold Patrick Faber
Belize Port Loyola "Superman" Philip WilloughbyGilroy Usher Sr."Boo Boo" Evan Thompson Anthony Martinez
Belize Belize Rural North Edmond "Clear The Land" Castro Marconi Prince LealKaren Sharon Banner Edmond Castro
Belize Belize Rural Central Beverly Williams Dolores Balderamos-GarciaLion BennettLuz Maria Hunter Beverly Williams
Belize Belize Rural South Manuel Heredia "Andre" PerezThomas Henry Greenwood Jr. Junior Heredia

Corozal District

DistrictDivisionUDPPUPBPPBPFIndependentsIncumbent [51]
Corozal Corozal Bay Pablo Marin David "Dido" VegaCarlos Javier Sawers Pablo Marin
Corozal Corozal North Hugo Patt David CastilloAlfonso Acosta Hugo Amilcar Patt
Corozal Corozal South East Antonio "Tony" Herrera Florencio Julian Marin Jr. Edna Doris DiazEloim Ellis Florencio Julian Marin
Corozal Corozal South West Dr. Angel Campos Ramiro RamirezLaurencio Lucio Bul Angel Campos

Orange Walk District

DistrictDivisionUDPPUPBPFIncumbent [51]
Orange Walk Orange Walk Central Denni Grijalva Johnny Briceño Antonia Cruz Sanchez Johnny Briceño
Orange Walk Orange Walk North Carlos ZetinaRamon "Monchi" CervantesMarino Assi Gaspar Vega
Orange Walk Orange Walk East Elodio "Son Of The East" Aragon Jr. Kevin BernardLorenzo Adrian "Andy" Aldana Elodio Aragon Jr.
Orange Walk Orange Walk South Guadalupe "Lupe" Dyck Magaña Jose Abelardo Mai Eber Misael Herrador Jose Abelardo Mai

Cayo District

DistrictDivisionUDPPUPBPFIndependentsIncumbent [51]
Cayo Cayo North Omar Figueroa Michel "Micho" ChebatKurt Mathew Lizarraga Omar Figueroa
Cayo Cayo Central Rene Montero Alex Balona Rene Montero
Cayo Cayo West Erwin Rafael Contreras Jorge "Milon" EspatEduardo Raul Ayala Erwin Contreras
Cayo Cayo South Ramon Francisco Witz Julius Espat Julius Espat
Cayo Cayo North East John Francis August Jr. Orlando "Landy" Habet Nefretery "Nancy" Marin Orlando Habet
Cayo Belmopan John Birchman Saldivar Oscar MiraAnna "ABG" Banner-Guy John Saldivar

Stann Creek District

DistrictDivisionUDPPUPBPPBPFIndependentsIncumbent [51]
Stann Creek Dangriga Frank "Papa" Mena "Dr. Zab" Louis ZabanehJohn Francis Suazo Frank Mena
Stann Creek Stann Creek West Ivan Hilbert Williams Rodwell Stephen Ferguson Hubert Alexander McCaulayMateo Tomas Polanco
Melvin Hulse
Rodwell Ferguson

Toledo District

DistrictDivisionUDPPUPIndependentsIncumbent [51]
Toledo Toledo East Dennis Garbutt Michael Espat Orlando Albert Muschamp Mike Espat
Toledo Toledo West Simeon Coc Oscar Requena Ruben Oscar Requena

Source: Belize Elections and Boundaries Department Archived 2020-10-31 at the Wayback Machine

Results

At the invitation of the Belizean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CARICOM sent a six-member observation team. The team's preliminary statement showed the elections to have been conducted in a smooth and timely manner; they especially commended the election commission's ability to implement COVID-19 sanitary measures while dealing with the effects of Tropical Storm Eta. [52]

The polls closed at 6:15 pm. With the early counts already forecasting a lead for the PUP, Faber delivered a concession speech on television three hours later, congratulating Briceño and the PUP while calling for national unity. [53] Election turnout was over 81%, the highest since 1998. [4]

The results showed the PUP achieving its first national election victory since 2003, winning 26 seats. By contrast, the incumbent United Democratic Party had its lowest result since 1998, winning the remaining 5 seats. [3] Four of the five UDP seats were in Belize City: Faber and Tracy Panton retained their seats, while Denise Barrow and Shyne Barrow won seats of retiring UDP members. The fifth seat was in Corozal, retained by incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Hugo Patt. [54]

Briceño was sworn in as the new Prime Minister on 12 November by the Governor-General. [55] He intended to swear in his cabinet on 16 November. [56]

2020 Belize House of Representatives.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
People's United Party 88,04059.6026+14
United Democratic Party 57,37438.845–14
Belize People's Front 8200.560New
Belize Progressive Party 5480.3700
Independents 9240.6300
Total147,706100.00310
Valid votes147,70698.70
Invalid/blank votes1,9441.30
Total votes149,650100.00
Registered voters/turnout182,81581.86
Source: Elections & Boundaries Department, The Tribune

By division

DivisionElectorateTurnout%Political partyCandidateVotes%
Albert 2,8862,53187.70 United Democratic Party Tracy Ann Panton1,27150.82
People's United Party Paul Adrian Thompson1,23049.18
Belize Rural Central 7,4455,95680.00 People's United Party Dolores Balderamos-Garcia3,40958.67
United Democratic Party Beverly Williams 2,16637.28
Belize Progressive Party Lion Bennett1813.12
Belize People's Front Luz Maria Hunter540.93
Belize Rural North 4,7213,90382.67 People's United Party Marconi Prince Leal2,23858.01
United Democratic Party Edmond "Clear The Land" Castro 1,56840.64
Belize Progressive Party Karen Sharon Banner521.35
Belize Rural South 8,5866,88780.21 People's United Party "Andre" Perez4,33663.84
United Democratic Party Manuel Heredia2,41935.62
Belize People's Front Thomas Henry Greenwood Jr.370.54
Belmopan 8,7586,94379.28 People's United Party Oscar Mira4,17260.82
United Democratic Party John Birchman Saldivar 2,00429.21
IndependentAnna "ABG" Banner-Guy6849.97
Caribbean Shores 4,3633,72685.40 People's United Party Kareem David Musa 2,19459.60
United Democratic Party Lee Mark Chang 1,48740.40
Cayo Central 8,1076,21976.71 People's United Party Alex Balona3,43455.99
United Democratic Party Rene Montero 2,69944.01
Cayo North 8,0586,67982.89 People's United Party Michel "Micho" Chebat3,74556.77
United Democratic Party Omar Figueroa 2,79042.29
Belize People's Front Kurt Mathew Lizarraga620.94
Cayo North East 5,7064,76483.49 People's United Party Orlando "Landy" Habet2,99663.35
United Democratic Party John Francis August Jr.1,67435.40
Belize People's Front Nefretery "Nancy" Martin591.25
Cayo South 7,0695,26174.42 People's United Party Julius Espat 4,07178.53
United Democratic Party Ramon Francisco Witz1,11321.47
Cayo West 6,4655,34082.60 People's United Party Jorge "Milon" Espat2,70351.50
United Democratic Party Erwin Rafael Contreras 2,47847.21
Belize People's Front Eduardo Raul Ayala681.29
Collet 3,7323,03781.38 United Democratic Party Patrick Faber 1,83461.63
People's United Party Oscar "Polo" Arnold1,14238.37
Corozal Bay 5,4104,47582.72 People's United Party David "Dido" Vega2,40254.37
United Democratic Party Pablo Marin 1,99445.13
IndependentCarlos Javier Sawers220.50
Corozal North 7,0006,15587.93 United Democratic Party Hugo Patt3,47956.96
People's United Party David Castillo2,56341.96
Belize People's Front Alfonso Acosta661.08
Corozal South East 7,0126,13887.54 People's United Party Florencio Julian Marin Jr.3,41355.97
United Democratic Party Antonio "Tony" Herrera2,61442.87
Belize People's Front Eloim Ellis570.93
Belize Progressive Party Edna Doris Diaz140.23
Corozal South West 5,8885,13087.13 People's United Party Ramiro Ramirez2,89856.91
United Democratic Party Angel Campos2,14242.07
Belize People's Front Laurencio Lucio Bul521.02
Dangriga 5,4824,21276.83 People's United Party "Dr. Zab" Louis Zabaneh2,60062.55
United Democratic Party Frank "Papa" Mena1,50136.11
Belize People's Front John Francis Suazo561.34
Fort George 1,8761,54182.14 People's United Party Henry Charles Usher Sr.98364.84
United Democratic Party Melvin "Mello" Hewlett49932.92
Belize Progressive Party William "Wil" Maheia342.24
Freetown 3,7823,11482.34 People's United Party Francis Fonseca 2,11468.79
United Democratic Party Orson Jerome "OJ" Elrington95931.21
Lake Independence 4,8633,95881.39 People's United Party Cordel Hyde 3,53990.79
United Democratic Party Dianne "Miss D" Finnegan3599.21
Mesopotamia 2,2771,71575.32 United Democratic Party Shyne Barrow 91054.79
People's United Party Candice Pitts75145.21
Orange Walk Central 6,0455,15785.31 People's United Party Johnny Briceño 2,90256.87
United Democratic Party Denni Grijalva2,14041.94
Belize People's Front Antonia Cruz Sanchez611.19
Orange Walk East 7,0336,03885.85 People's United Party Kevin Bernard3,27754.96
United Democratic Party Elodio "Son Of The East" Aragon Jr.2,61243.80
Belize People's Front Lorenzo Adrian "Andy" Aldana741.24
Orange Walk North 7,8336,78586.62 People's United Party Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes4,04360.09
United Democratic Party Carlos Zetina2,62839.06
Belize People's Front Marino Assi570.85
Orange Walk South 6,8585,78284.31 People's United Party Jose Abelardo Mai3,49961.34
United Democratic Party Guadalupe "Lupe" Dyck Magaña2,08836.61
Belize People's Front Eber Misael Herrador1172.05
Pickstock 3,9973,28182.09 People's United Party Anthony Robert Mahler2,57080.21
United Democratic Party Anthony "Uncle Boots" Martinez 57417.92
Belize Progressive Party Patrick Raymond Rogers601.87
Port Loyola 4,7173,64977.36 People's United Party Gilroy Usher Sr.2,10658.98
United Democratic Party "Superman" Philip Willoughby1,31336.77
Belize Progressive Party "Boo Boo" Evan Thompson1524.25
Queen's Square 2,7142,43189.57 United Democratic Party Denise "Sista B" Barrow1,35156.43
People's United Party Allan Pollard1,02042.61
Belize Progressive Party Gary Matus230.96
Stann Creek West 9,8647,74578.52 People's United Party Rodwell Stephen Ferguson 4,90064.23
United Democratic Party Ivan Hilbert Williams2,50932.89
IndependentMelvin Hulse1792.35
Belize Progressive Party Hubert Alexander McCaulay320.42
IndependentMateo Tomas Polanco90.11
Toledo East 6,8314,69868.77 People's United Party Michael Espat2,86961.65
United Democratic Party Dennis Garbutt1,75537.71
IndependentOrlando Albert Muschamp300.54
Toledo West 7,4376,40086.06 People's United Party Oscar Requena3,92161.60
United Democratic Party Simeon Coc2,44438.40
Source: Elections & Boundaries Department

Reactions

Additional congratulations were sent by the Organization of American States. [58]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Belize</span>

Belize is a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the king of Belize serves as head of state and the prime minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Said Musa</span> 3rd Prime Minister of Belize from 1998 to 2008

Said Wilbert Musa is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was the third prime minister of Belize from 28 August 1998 to 8 February 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's United Party</span> Political party in Belize

The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize. It is currently the governing party of Belize after success in the 2020 Belizean general election, winning a majority of 26 seats out of 31 in the Belizean House of Representatives. It is a centre-left Christian democratic party. The party leader is Johnny Briceño, who currently serves as the Prime Minister of Belize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Democratic Party (Belize)</span> Political party in Belize

The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize. It is currently the main opposition party, having lost the 2020 Belizean general election, after previously holding the government across three prior terms. Founded as a centre-right conservative party, the UDP is led by Moses Barrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manuel Esquivel</span> Belizean politician (1940–2022)

Sir Manuel Amadeo Esquivel was a Belizean politician. As leader of the United Democratic Party, he served as the second prime minister of Belize from 1984 to 1989, and then again from 1993 to 1998. His party's victory in 1984 was the first time an opposition party had won a general election in Belize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Barrow</span> Prime Minister of Belize from 2008 to 2020

Dean Oliver Barrow, SC PC is a politician from Belize who served as the fourth prime minister of Belize from 2008 until 2020 and as leader of Belize's United Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Briceño</span> Prime Minister of Belize since 2020

John Antonio Briceño is a Belizean politician who is the fifth and current prime minister of Belize. He has been in office since 12 November 2020 and the leader of the People's United Party (PUP) since 2016. He was Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2011 and from 2016 to 2020. From 1998 to 2007, he served as the deputy prime minister under Prime Minister Said Musa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Representatives (Belize)</span> Lower house of Belize

The House of Representatives of Belize is the lower chamber of the National Assembly, the other being the Senate. It was created under the 1981 constitution. Members are commonly called "Area Representatives".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 Belizean general election</span>

General elections were held in Belize on 27 August 1998. The result was a victory for the People's United Party, which won 26 of the 29 seats and Said Musa was elected as prime minister for the first time. Voter turnout was 90%, the highest since independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 Belizean general election</span>

General elections were held in Belize on 30 June 1993. Although the People's United Party received the most votes, the United Democratic Party–National Alliance for Belizean Rights alliance won the most seats. Voter turnout was 72.1%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Belizean municipal elections</span>

A series of local elections were held on March 1, 2006, to fill vacancies for town councils in Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, San Ignacio, Benque Viejo, Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Belize City and Belmopan. All the councils except Belize City elected one mayor and six councilors; Belize City elected one mayor and ten councilors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader of the Opposition (Belize)</span> Belizean parliamentary position

The Leader of the Opposition is an elected official who, according to the Constitution, "commands the support of those elected officials that do not support the Government." The Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest political party in the House of Representatives that is not in government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Belizean general election</span>

General elections were held in Belize on 7 February 2008. Beginning with this election, Belizeans elected 31 members to the House of Representatives of Belize instead of 29. In what was considered an upset, the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) won the election with 25 out of 31 seats; the ruling People's United Party won six.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Finnegan (Belizean politician)</span> Belizean politician

Michael Kwame Finnegan is a Belizean politician and a member of the United Democratic Party. He served as Minister of Housing and Urban Development in Prime Minister Dean Barrow's cabinet. He was a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Mesopotamia Electoral Division in Belize City from 1993 to 2020. Finnegan hosts the television show Mek Wave and Lik Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Fonseca</span> Belizean politician (born 1967)

Francis William Fonseca is a Belizean politician who served as leader of the People's United Party (PUP) and as Leader of the Opposition of Belize from 2011 to 2016. First elected to the Belize House of Representatives from the Belize City-based Freetown constituency in 2003, Fonseca served as Attorney General and Minister of Education, Culture and Labour in Prime Minister Said Musa's cabinet until February 2008, when the PUP lost the general election to the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP). Fonseca was one of only six PUP representatives nationwide to retain his seat in the National Assembly in the 2008 election.

Erwin Rafael "Winchi" Contreras is a Belizean politician and former footballer. From 2008 to 2012 he was the Minister of Economic Development, Commerce, Industry and Consumer Protection in Belize. After the 2012 election he was made Minister of Trade Investment, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Faber (politician)</span> Belizean politician

Patrick Jason Faber is a Belizean politician. He was the leader of the Opposition. He formerly served as the minister of Education, Youth Sports and Culture. In July 2020 he was appointed the leader of the United Democratic Party, after Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated his plans to retire at the end of his term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Saldivar (politician)</span> Belizean politician

John Birchman Saldivar is a Belizean politician. A member of the United Democratic Party, Saldivar has represented the Belmopan constituency in the Belize House of Representatives from its creation in 2008 until his defeat in the 2020 general election. He was previously Area Representative for Cayo South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Belizean general election</span>

General elections were held in Belize on 4 November 2015 to elect members of the House of Representatives. On 28 September 2015 Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that he had advised the Governor-General to dissolve the National Assembly and to fix Wednesday 4 November 2015 as the date for the next general elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belize People's Front</span> Political party in Belize

The Belize People's Front is a Belizean progressive and social democratic centre-left political party founded in 2013. The BPF made its electoral debut in the 2020 Belizean general election on 11 November 2020, in which it fielded 13 candidates and became the third largest political party in the country. BPF's leader Nancy Marin is the first female political party leader in Belize.

References

  1. "BREAKING: General Elections to be held on November 11th 2020". Breaking Belize News . 2020-10-05. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  2. 1 2 "PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GENERAL ELECTIONS 2020" (PDF). Belize Elections and Boundaries Department. 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2020-10-11.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. 1 2 "Belize hands opposition resounding electoral victory". Seymour Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 2020-11-12.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. 1 2 "PUP Wins Landslide Victory in Belize Election | centralamerica.com". centralamerica. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  5. "The role of women in Belizean and American politics; first American female elected as Vice-President". The San Pedro Sun. 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  6. 1 2 "When will general elections be called?". Breaking Belize News. 2019-03-04. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  7. Belize / Belice: Constitution 1981, Political Database of the Americas. (accessed 9 October 2014)
  8. Parks, Rowland A. "General elections no later than 'first part of next year' – PM Barrow", Amandala , 4 September 2015. (accessed 27 September 2015)
  9. "P.M. Gone? Not Yet, But He is Thinking About It", Great Belize Television , 12 May 2017. (accessed 21 May 2017)
  10. "PM Barrow: General Elections to be held in November 2020". Breaking Belize News . 2019-05-21. Archived from the original on 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  11. "Government of Belize Retains Executive Power after Dissolution of National Assembly – Government of Belize Press Office" . Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  12. Leslie, Kory (31 October 2020). "Chief Justice denies redistricting injunction". Amandala . Archived from the original on 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  13. McLeod, Sheri-Kae (2020-11-10). "PM Dean Barrow Says Belize Elections Will Take Place Despite Floods". Caribbean News. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  14. "Will There be a Prime Ministerial Debate?". Great Belize Television . 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-10-12.
  15. "It's on! Debate to take place before election rumble". Amandala . Archived from the original on 2020-10-23. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  16. 1 2 "PUP: No response from Chamber re Briceño's letter on debate format and procedures". Breaking Belize News . 2020-10-26. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  17. "Prime Ministerial debate tackles economic, sustainable, national development". Breaking Belize News . 2020-10-23. Archived from the original on 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  18. "Both Major Political Party Leaders Back Out of Debate". Great Belize Television . 27 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  19. Prime Ministerial Debate 2020 , retrieved 2020-10-31
  20. "BCCI: HOT OFF THE PRESS-Post-Debate Reflections from the LDC". Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  21. "Citizens for Good Governance- CGG". Facebook. 23 October 2020.
  22. "Dangriga Constituency's Electoral Debate 2020". Facebook. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  23. "Citizens for Good Governance- CGG". Facebook. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  24. "Citizens for Good Governance- CGG". Facebook. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  25. "UDP Manifesto 2020". United Democratic Party . Archived from the original on 2000-04-24. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  26. "Supa G - Staying With the UDP Official Music Video - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  27. "PUP Manifesto 2020". People's United Party . Archived from the original on 2020-09-15. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  28. "TR Shine, Missy B, Concego & Boss Lady - 'With BLU We ALL Win (Todos Ganamos)' - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  29. "Issues Affecting Belize". Belize Progressive Party . Archived from the original on 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  30. "Belize Progressive Party-BPP". Facebook. 24 August 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-02-09.
  31. "Immediate Actions". Belize People's Front . Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  32. "Song: "BELIZE" by JayRed - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  33. "Constitution of Belize (2011 revision)". constituteproject.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-12. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  34. "PM Barrow gives timeline for departure", Breaking Belize News , 16 May 2018. (accessed 8 October 2018)
  35. "U.D.P. Leadership Convention Set for February 2020", Great Belize Television , 12 May 2017. (accessed 14 February 2019)
  36. "John Briceño Says Ad Plays into Negative Sentiments on Faber Leadership", Great Belize Television , 16 May 2017. (accessed 21 May 2017)
  37. "PM Barrow Benches Teflon John from Cabinet", Great Belize Television , 12 February 2020. (accessed 19 February 2020)
  38. "Patrick Faber is UDP's new party leader; Foreign Minister Elrington signals an end to his political career". The San Pedro Sun . 2020-07-13. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  39. "PM Barrow Passes the Baton to Patrick Faber in U.D.P. Leadership Succession". Great Belize Television . 9 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  40. "Belize election: Opposition win brings change after 12 years". BBC News. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  41. "Briceño Says He'll Resign if He Loses General Elections". Great Belize Television . Archived from the original on 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  42. 1 2 "The role of women in Belizean and American politics; first American female elected as Vice-President". The San Pedro Sun. 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  43. Parks, Rowland A. (13 June 2020). "BPP announces its first 9 candidates for general elections". Amandala . Archived from the original on 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  44. Valentine, Alisha (27 July 2020). "Belize People's Front preparing for General Elections". LOVE FM (Belize) . Archived from the original on 2020-09-29.
  45. "People's Front Launches Out". Tropical Vision Limited . 7 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  46. "Rt. Hon Musa & Hon. Finnegan, Ready For The Road, But Not Ready To Retire", Tropical Vision Limited, 6 March 2015 (accessed 9 May 2015)
  47. "Former Prime Minister Said Musa Retires from Politics". Great Belize Television . 2020-09-09. Archived from the original on 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  48. Lopez, Marco (18 July 2020). "Gaspar Vega steps down". Amandala . Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  49. "Shyne For Mesop? Mike P For Queen's Square?", Tropical Vision Limited , 13 March 2017. (accessed 21 May 2017)
  50. "List of U.D.P Hopefuls is Out!", Great Belize Television , 2 July 2018. (accessed 8 October 2018)
  51. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "House of Representatives Belize". National Assembly of Belize . Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  52. "CARICOM Election Observation Mission to Belize - PRELIMINARY STATEMENT". CARICOM . 2020-11-12. Archived from the original on 2020-12-06. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  53. "Faber Conceded Early". Tropical Vision Limited . 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  54. "Hon. Hugo Patt Sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister". Ambergris Today. 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  55. "John Briceño sworn in as Belize's PM after record victory". Breaking Belize News . 2020-11-12. Archived from the original on 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  56. "Who Will Be In Briceno's Cabinet". Tropical Vision Limited . 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  57. Ministerio De Relaciones Exteriores (2020-11-12). "Felicitación a Jhon Briceño, Primer Ministro de Belice". Gobierno de Guatemala (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  58. 1 2 "Presidente Giammattei felicita a primer ministro electo de Belice". Agencia Guatemalteca de Noticias (in Spanish). 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  59. "Message to the Prime Minister of Belize" (PDF). Barricada . 11 November 2020.
  60. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) (2020-11-13). "MOFA congratulates Belize PM Briceno, looks forward to closer bilateral cooperation". Taiwan Today . Archived from the original on 2020-11-14. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  61. "United States Congratulates Belize on Successful Elections". Breaking Belize News . 2020-11-12. Archived from the original on 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2020-11-13.