Belize legislative election, 2003
Encyclopedia
A legislative election was held in Belize
on 5 March 2003. Belizeans elected 29 members to the House of Representatives
for a term of five years.
The ruling People's United Party
(PUP) won the largest share (22) of seats in the election.
As an aside, municipal elections
had originally been called for this date, creating a situation of triple elections in one day, a first for the Caribbean region according to Myrtle Palacio of the EBD.
As a postscript, Cayo South winner Agripino Cawich Sr. died of illness in August 2003. UDP candidate John Saldivar, who had lost to Cawich in March, won the subsequent by-election over son Joaquin Cawich in October.
called a "drawn-out" campaign that he said affected the country's ability to function, Musa called a house meeting on January 24, 2003 and formally announced that he had asked Governor General Sir Colville Young
to dissolve the National Assembly of Belize
by February 4, decree nomination of candidates for elections on February 17, and call elections on March 5.
Elections were called early; they had not been constitutionally due until at least November 2003. The Opposition UDP
, led by attorney Dean Barrow
and eager to recover from the disastrous 1998 campaign, declared themselves ready to battle. Governor General Young officially issued the proclamation dissolving the House on February 4, as requested by Mr. Musa.
had nominated candidates through much of 2001 and 2002. Among the more hotly contested races was Pickstock, where Attorney General and Senator Godfrey Smith
defeated Bobby Usher of the PUP old guard. A number of other sitting members declared that they would not run again, including Jorge Espat
in Freetown (relieved by Francis Fonseca) and Henry Canton in Stann Creek West (replaced by Rodwell Ferguson).
The PUP prepared a visually oriented campaign, stressing their accomplishments in office as the governing party and citing weak links in the UDP armor.
's selection process was rife with controversy. In May 2002, Pickstock standard bearer and musician Kenny Morgan was removed (he would eventually be replaced by Diane Haylock). Attorney Wilfred Elrington contested Pickstock independently after running into party officials over Haylock's appointment; brother Hubert, who had already left the party, likewise contested independently in Lake Independence against the sitting Cordel Hyde. Another bone of contention was Albert, where the UDP selected Marilyn Williams over Sydney Fuller. Fuller ran independently but Williams was herself the subject of investigation over allegations that she was a U.S. citizen and therefore ineligible to participate in the elections.
Representatives in Lake Independence and Belize Rural Central were also replaced.
, headed by Chief Elections Officer Myrtle Palacio and her four person administrative staff. In preparation for the possibility of general elections and the certainty of municipal elections, the EBD had cleaned out their electoral rolls following the 1998 re-registration exercise, sought to boost voter confidence through the media, and trained fellow civil servants across the country to prepare for the rigorous test of conducting three separate elections in one day.
The EBD commanded 1,432 election workers, 567 municipal, 865 general. The workers were divided according to post: returning officer (in charge of the station and vote), election clerks and assistants, presiding officers (at each polling area), poll clerks and assistants, and counting clerks.
Statutory Instruments Nos. 14 and 43 of 2003 respectively guaranteed voters the right to register up to February 10, 2003 in lieu of nomination day and allowed for more counting agents assigned to the general elections.
On election day itself, despite the usual early headaches, voting went smoothly. Palacio noted in her end of year report that no petitions for recounts were presented for any election. Nevertheless, The Guardian newspaper of March 16 saw an article written by then member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission
and editor Herbert Panton, which criticized the electoral process. For more, see the Guardian
article.
(Channel 5) announced a partnership with RSV Media Center
, headlined by LOVE FM
, on January 13, 2003. Their coverage used the tagline "Decision 2003."
Later on, Tropical Vision Limited
Channel 7 teamed up with fledgling Krem Television
and Radio
. Their coverage was nicknamed "The Moment" and used "Lose Yourself
" by Eminem
as its theme song.
The UDP chose substance over style in a realist campaign. Their commercials and statements attacked what they saw as latent corruption in the PUP's governing of the country. In February a broadside of scandals rocked the retiring administration, in sectors as varied as transport and education, and the UDP pushed every single one as an indication of the things the UDP would not tolerate if elected.
We The People and other independent candidates stressed their belief that the system needed to change and that overall life needed to be improved for all Belizeans. The independents were not as heavily represented on the media but saw their opportunities as they came.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
on 5 March 2003. Belizeans elected 29 members to the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Belize
The House of Representatives of Belize is one of two chambers of the National Assembly, the other being the Senate. It was created under the 1981 constitution....
for a term of five years.
The ruling People's United Party
People's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
(PUP) won the largest share (22) of seats in the election.
Background
The PUP were seeking a second consecutive term in office after recording significant development in the economy from 1998 to 2003. Their opponents, the UDP, sought to replace them in office because of charges of corruption and mismanagement of public funds. Previous to this election, the parties had alternated their time in office since Independence.As an aside, municipal elections
Belizean municipal elections, 2003
Belize municipal elections, 2003 were a series of municipal elections held on March 5, 2003 to elect City and Town Councils in the Cities of Belize and Belmopan and the towns of Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Dangriga and Punta Gorda....
had originally been called for this date, creating a situation of triple elections in one day, a first for the Caribbean region according to Myrtle Palacio of the EBD.
As a postscript, Cayo South winner Agripino Cawich Sr. died of illness in August 2003. UDP candidate John Saldivar, who had lost to Cawich in March, won the subsequent by-election over son Joaquin Cawich in October.
Dissolving the House
After what Prime Minister Said MusaSaid Musa
Said Wilbert Musa is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Belize from August 28, 1998 to February 8, 2008.-Early life and education:Said Musa was born in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize...
called a "drawn-out" campaign that he said affected the country's ability to function, Musa called a house meeting on January 24, 2003 and formally announced that he had asked Governor General Sir Colville Young
Colville Young
Sir Colville Norbert Young, GCMG, MBE is the Governor General of Belize, and also patron of the Scout Association of Belize. He was appointed Governor-General in 1993, taking office on 17 November of that year, and was knighted in 1994....
to dissolve the National Assembly of Belize
National Assembly of Belize
The National Assembly of is the bicameral legislature of Belize. It is divided into the House of Representatives, with 29 members, and the Senate, with 13 members.- History :...
by February 4, decree nomination of candidates for elections on February 17, and call elections on March 5.
Elections were called early; they had not been constitutionally due until at least November 2003. The Opposition UDP
United Democratic Party (Belize)
The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:...
, led by attorney Dean Barrow
Dean Barrow
Dean Oliver Barrow is Prime Minister of Belize and leader of the United Democratic Party. An attorney by trade, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1998 and was then Leader of the Opposition until the UDP won the February 2008 election...
and eager to recover from the disastrous 1998 campaign, declared themselves ready to battle. Governor General Young officially issued the proclamation dissolving the House on February 4, as requested by Mr. Musa.
PUP preparations
The People's United PartyPeople's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
had nominated candidates through much of 2001 and 2002. Among the more hotly contested races was Pickstock, where Attorney General and Senator Godfrey Smith
Godfrey Smith
Godfrey Smith is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party . He became Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Emergency Management Organization in 2003, after receiving his graduate degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 2002. Previously he had...
defeated Bobby Usher of the PUP old guard. A number of other sitting members declared that they would not run again, including Jorge Espat
Jorge Espat
Jorge Espat is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party.- Political career :He was first elected to parliament in 1993. He was reelected in 1998 and became a member of the cabinet until resigning a few years later after alleging corruption within his own party...
in Freetown (relieved by Francis Fonseca) and Henry Canton in Stann Creek West (replaced by Rodwell Ferguson).
The PUP prepared a visually oriented campaign, stressing their accomplishments in office as the governing party and citing weak links in the UDP armor.
UDP preparations
The United Democratic PartyUnited Democratic Party (Belize)
The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:...
's selection process was rife with controversy. In May 2002, Pickstock standard bearer and musician Kenny Morgan was removed (he would eventually be replaced by Diane Haylock). Attorney Wilfred Elrington contested Pickstock independently after running into party officials over Haylock's appointment; brother Hubert, who had already left the party, likewise contested independently in Lake Independence against the sitting Cordel Hyde. Another bone of contention was Albert, where the UDP selected Marilyn Williams over Sydney Fuller. Fuller ran independently but Williams was herself the subject of investigation over allegations that she was a U.S. citizen and therefore ineligible to participate in the elections.
Representatives in Lake Independence and Belize Rural Central were also replaced.
Independent/third party preparations
This was the first election for the We the People Reform Movement, which put up candidates in Corozal, Orange Walk and Belize District. Independents appeared in all six districts. The election was tagged as featuring the highest number of independent candidates ever, including former UDP candidate Wilfred Elrington in Pickstock. Elrington finished second to winner Godfrey Smith but doubled up UDP choice Diane Haylock.Election supervision
The elections were supervised by the Elections and Boundaries DepartmentElections and Boundaries Department
The Belize Elections and Boundaries Department is the hands-on administrator of Belizean electoral politics. It was established in 1989 as a subordinate to the Elections and Boundaries Commission.-Mission statement:...
, headed by Chief Elections Officer Myrtle Palacio and her four person administrative staff. In preparation for the possibility of general elections and the certainty of municipal elections, the EBD had cleaned out their electoral rolls following the 1998 re-registration exercise, sought to boost voter confidence through the media, and trained fellow civil servants across the country to prepare for the rigorous test of conducting three separate elections in one day.
The EBD commanded 1,432 election workers, 567 municipal, 865 general. The workers were divided according to post: returning officer (in charge of the station and vote), election clerks and assistants, presiding officers (at each polling area), poll clerks and assistants, and counting clerks.
Statutory Instruments Nos. 14 and 43 of 2003 respectively guaranteed voters the right to register up to February 10, 2003 in lieu of nomination day and allowed for more counting agents assigned to the general elections.
On election day itself, despite the usual early headaches, voting went smoothly. Palacio noted in her end of year report that no petitions for recounts were presented for any election. Nevertheless, The Guardian newspaper of March 16 saw an article written by then member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission
Elections and Boundaries Commission
The Belize Elections and Boundaries Commissision is the primary electoral body in Belize. It supervises all local and national elections. The Commission also establishes the boundaries of Belize's electoral divisions.-Formation and duties:...
and editor Herbert Panton, which criticized the electoral process. For more, see the Guardian
The Guardian (Belize)
The Guardian is a Belizean newspaper and the official print organ of the United Democratic Party.It is published on Thursdays and sells for BZ$1.00.- UDP newspaper history before Guardian :...
article.
Media coverage
A number of media houses joined forces to cover wire-to-wire the events of March 5. Great Belize TelevisionGreat Belize Television
Great Belize Television, or as it is locally known, Channel 5, is a Belize City-based local television station established in December of 1991. Channel 5 airs mostly American and Caribbean programs, as well as a variety of locally produced programs...
(Channel 5) announced a partnership with RSV Media Center
RSV Media Center
- History :The Center has been headed by Rene Villanueva Sr. for all of its existence. RSV Limited is the Parent Company of Belize's largest Radio Station LOVE FM. LOVE FM is the only Nationwide broadcasting system in Belize. It operates repeaters in every district town of Belize. It was...
, headlined by LOVE FM
LOVE FM
LOVE FM is a Belize City-based radio station operating since February 14, 1993. It is part of RSV Media Center, whose chairman is Rene Villanueva Sr.It airs family-oriented programs and mature, contemporary style music.- History :...
, on January 13, 2003. Their coverage used the tagline "Decision 2003."
Later on, Tropical Vision Limited
Tropical Vision Limited
Tropical Vision Limited, or as it is locally known, Channel 7, is a Belize City based television station operating since 1981.Its Managing Director is Nestor Vasquez.- Schedule :Weekdays...
Channel 7 teamed up with fledgling Krem Television
Krem Television
Krem Television is a Belizean television station established in 2004 and serving Belize City.Its manager is KREM Radio alumnus Evan "Mose" Hyde and it is part of KREMANDALA Ltd.- Establishment :...
and Radio
KREM FM
KREM Radio is a Belize City radio station operating on signals 96.5, 91.1 and 101.1 FM since November 17, 1989. Its headquarters are located at 3304 Partridge Street in Belize City, also the home of the Amandala newspaper and Krem Television...
. Their coverage was nicknamed "The Moment" and used "Lose Yourself
Lose Yourself
"Lose Yourself" is an Academy Award winning song by American hip-hop artist Eminem, released as the first single from the original soundtrack to the movie 8 Mile on October 22, 2002. It was written and produced by Eminem himself, along with longtime collaborator Jeff Bass, one half of the...
" by Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
as its theme song.
Campaigning
The 2003 general election can be considered one of the most glitzy and packaged. The PUP ran a mostly upbeat campaign, focusing on celebrating the works achieved in its five years in office. The campaign was highlighted by the release of a CD of political campaign songs written by prominent Belizeans, particularly "Welcome to the Party" by Supa G. "Party" saw three translations and numerous airings over the course of two months of campaigning, invariably accompanied by PUP officials smiling and making contact with their constituents.The UDP chose substance over style in a realist campaign. Their commercials and statements attacked what they saw as latent corruption in the PUP's governing of the country. In February a broadside of scandals rocked the retiring administration, in sectors as varied as transport and education, and the UDP pushed every single one as an indication of the things the UDP would not tolerate if elected.
We The People and other independent candidates stressed their belief that the system needed to change and that overall life needed to be improved for all Belizeans. The independents were not as heavily represented on the media but saw their opportunities as they came.
Election day and aftermath
Election day began at 5:00 am for workers and 7:00 AM for voters. Voters participated from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM; counting began at 8:00 PM. Palacio reported that Pickstock's result, a victory for Godfrey Smith, was the first official result to come in, at 10:00 PM. By 12:45 AM Thursday morning, the PUP had amassed the majority fifteen seats, and by 1:10 AM could start celebrating as the CEO stamped the particulars. While the UDP had regained 6% of votes over the 1998 results, the PUP still beat them 53-45.Detailed General election results by constituency
| Electoral Division | Candidate | Political Party | # of Registered Voters | Total Votes Cast | % of Registered Voters | # of Votes | % of Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean Shores | Jose Coye Jose Coye Jose Coye is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party . He trained as a Chartered Accountant and worked as a customs officer before going into politics.... |
PUP People's United Party The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca.... |
4023 | 3021 | 75.09% | 1592 | 52.7% |
| Oscar Ayuso | UDP United Democratic Party (Belize) The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:... |
1429 | 47.3% | ||||
| Freetown | Francis Fonseca | PUP | 2510 | 1925 | 76.7% | 1154 | 60.0% |
| Douglas Singh | UDP | 771 | 40.0% | ||||
| Pickstock | Godfrey Smith Godfrey Smith Godfrey Smith is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party . He became Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Emergency Management Organization in 2003, after receiving his graduate degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 2002. Previously he had... |
PUP | 1987 | 1611 | 81.09% | 899 | 55.8% |
| Wilfred Elrington | Independent | 439 | 27.3% | ||||
| Diane Haylock | UDP | 252 | 15.6% | ||||
| Fort George | Said Musa Said Musa Said Wilbert Musa is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Belize from August 28, 1998 to February 8, 2008.-Early life and education:Said Musa was born in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize... |
PUP | 2067 | 1546 | 74.8% | 1173 | 76.6% |
| Carlos Walker | UDP | 320 | 20.9% | ||||
| Francis Gegg | Independent | 38 | 2.5% | ||||
| Lake Independence | Cordel Hyde | PUP | 6176 | 4447 | 72.0% | 2764 | 62.2% |
| Anthony Leslie | UDP | 1499 | 33.7% | ||||
| Hubert Elrington | Independent | 88 | 2.0% | ||||
| Patrick Rogers | Independent | 96 | 2.5% | ||||
| Albert Albert, Belize Albert is a constituency in the Belize District of the Central American nation of Belize.-History:Albert was one of the original 18 constituencies that were by the government of the then British Colony of British Honduras... |
Mark Espat | PUP | 2286 | 1789 | 78.1% | 1482 | 82.8% |
| Marilyn Williams | UDP | 253 | 14.1% | ||||
| Sydney Fuller | Independent | 54 | 3.0% | ||||
| Collet | Patrick Faber | UDP | 2848 | 1892 | 66.4% | 948 | 50.1% |
| Remijio Montejo | PUP | 889 | 47.0% | ||||
| Paul Jones | Independent | 55 | 2.9% | ||||
| Mesopotamia | Michael Finnegan | UDP | 2178 | 1522 | 69.9% | 1024 | 55.8% |
| Phillip Brackett | PUP | 953 | 44.2% | ||||
| Queen's Square | Dean Barrow Dean Barrow Dean Oliver Barrow is Prime Minister of Belize and leader of the United Democratic Party. An attorney by trade, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1998 and was then Leader of the Opposition until the UDP won the February 2008 election... |
UDP | 2690 | 2156 | 80.2% | 1203 | 55.8% |
| Richard Bradley | PUP | 953 | 44.2% | ||||
| Port Loyola | Anthony Martinez | UDP | 5798 | 4014 | 69.2% | 2386 | 59.4% |
| Dolores Balderamos-García Dolores Balderamos-Garcia Dolores Balderamos-Garcia is a Belizean lawyer, politician, activist, broadcaster and author.As a member of the People's United Party, she served as Belize's Minister of Human Development, Women and Civil Society, where her emphasis was on improving the condition of women and children and bringing... |
PUP | 1565 | 38.9% | ||||
| Belize Rural North | Maxwell Samuels Maxwell Samuels Maxwell Ewing Samuels is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party. He represents the Belize Rural North constituency of Belize District in the House of Representatives of Belize.... |
PUP | 3341 | 2707 | 81.0 | 1447 | 53.5 |
| Felix Sutherland | UDP | 1251 | 46.2% | ||||
| Belize Rural Central | Ralph Fonseca Ralph Fonseca Ralph Henry Fonseca is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party.- Political history :In 1984, he became a candidate for the House of Representatives in Queen's Square, running against attorney and city councillor Dean Barrow... |
PUP | 4543 | 3173 | 69.8% | 2110 | 66.5% |
| Colin Gillett | UDP | 1063 | 33.5% | ||||
| Belize Rural South | Manuel Heredia | UDP | 3712 | 2993 | 80.6% | 1539 | 51.4 |
| Anna Patricia Arceo | PUP | 1430 | 47.8% | ||||
| Orange Walk North | Servulo Baeza | PUP | 5026 | 4324 | 86.0 | 2256 | 52.2 |
| Phillip De La Fuente | UDP | 2040 | 47.2% | ||||
| Orange Walk Central | Johnny Briceno | PUP | 3396 | 2782 | 81.9% | 1713 | 61.6 |
| Miguel Urbina | UDP | 1050 | 37.7% | ||||
| Orange Walk East | Dave Burgos | PUP | 5486 | 4590 | 83.7% | 2400 | 52.3% |
| Elodio Aragon | UDP | 2144 | 46.7% | ||||
| Orange Walk South | Ismael Cal | PUP | 5276 | 4675 | 88.6 | 2655 | 56.8% |
| Julian Padron | UDP | 1971 | 42.2% | ||||
| Erwin Sanchez | Independent | 37 | 0.8% | ||||
| Cayo North | Ainslie Leslie | PUP | 6842 | 5672 | 82.9 | 2917 | 51.4% |
| Dean Williams | UDP | 2707 | 47.7% | ||||
| Cayo South | Agripino Cawich | PUP | 8344 | 6287 | 75.4 | 3111 | 49.5% |
| John Saldivar | UDP | 3087 | 49.1 | ||||
| Cayo West | Erwin Contreras | UDP | 4656 | 4018 | 86.3 | 2180 | 54.3 |
| Kendall Mendez | PUP | 1800 | 44.8 | ||||
| Cayo Central | Mario Castellanos | PUP | 6022 | 4846 | 80.5 | 2438 | 50.3% |
| Rene Montero | UDP | 2260 | 46.6 | ||||
| Eduardo Juan | Independent | 63 | 1.3% | ||||
| Ivan Roberts | Independent | 26 | 0.5% | ||||
| Corozal North | Valdemar Castillo | PUP | 5276 | 3491 | 66.2 | 1713 | 49.1 |
| Nemencio Acosta | UDP | 1705 | 48.8% | ||||
| Felipe Tzul | Independent | 56 | 1.6% | ||||
| Corozal Southwest | Gabriel Martinez | UDP | 3893 | 3473 | 89.2% | 1835 | 52.8% |
| Gregorio Garcia | PUP | 1593 | 45.9% | ||||
| Lucilo Teck | Independent | 20 | 0.6% | ||||
| Corozal Bay | Juan Vildo Marin Juan Vildo Marin Juan Vildo Marin, otherwise known as Vildo Marin is a Belizean politician and People's United Party member. He represents Corozal Bay, which includes Corozal Town, in the House of Representatives of Belize.Marin is married. He has a B.A. from the Southeastern Louisiana University... |
PUP | 5274 | 4058 | 76.9 | 2089 | 51.5% |
| Carlos Castillo | UDP | 1827 | 45.0 | ||||
| Roy Rodriguez | Independent | 86 | 2.1% | ||||
| Corozal Southeast | Florencio Marin | PUP | 4752 | 4194 | 88.3% | 2155 | 51.4% |
| Servando Samos | UDP | 1930 | 46.0% | ||||
| Hipolito Bautista | Independent | 62 | 1.5 | ||||
| Dangriga Dangriga Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town, is a town in southern Belize, located on the Caribbean coast at the mouth of Stann Creek. It is the capital of Belize's Stann Creek District and also the largest town in southern Belize... |
Sylvia Flores | PUP | 4254 | 2914 | 68.5 | 1527 | 52.4% |
| Russell Garcia | UDP | 1299 | 44.6 | ||||
| Ian Caliz | Independent | 44 | 1.5 | ||||
| Stann Creek West | Rodwell Ferguson | PUP | 5718 | 4445 | 77.7 | 2486 | 55.9% |
| Glenford Eiley | UDP | 1895 | 42.6 | ||||
| Michael Flores | Independent | 30 | 0.7% | ||||
| Toledo West | Marcial Mes | PUP | 4908 | 4349 | 88.6 | 2368 | 54.5 |
| Dennis Usher | UDP | 1940 | 44.6 | ||||
| Leonardo Acal | Independent | 21 | 0.5% | ||||
| Toledo East | Michael Espat | PUP | 4269 | 3325 | 77.9 | 1757 | 52.8 |
| Eden Martinez | UDP | 1568 | 47.2% |