High Court finds redistricting consent order was complied with

Published by BBNTEAM at August 9, 2024

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Posted: Friday, August 9, 2024. 5:48 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: High Court Justice Nadine Nabie has found with the Elections and Boundaries Commission on the redistricting case, issuing a judgment on Thursday.

While the Belize PEACE Movement has argued that the report submitted to the National Assembly and the bill drawn from it failed to meet international standards it has cited of 10 to 15 percent standard deviation in the number of voters per constituency, the Commission need only have completed and presented the report to meet the terms of the consent order.

The judge also noted that challenging the report itself, should the Bill pass both Houses, would be difficult. Presently the Bill is in committee and the next House of Representatives meeting is scheduled for any time after September 13.

The PEACE Movement maintains that redistricting can be completed before a general election is called, and should one be called without it, they would seek an injunction.

Attorney Arthur Saldivar represented the PEACE Movement while Deputy Solicitor General Samantha Matute represented the Commission and Attorney General. The former told KREM Radio News he had yet to see the judgment as of Thursday.

There is some discontent with the result of the report, which shows standard deviations of 25 to 35 percent on the number of voters per constituency and elimination of several.

No order for costs was made.

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