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| Where will you mark your “x” for the upcoming election?
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Thursday, February 7th, 2008 will be the official day when Belizeans will be able to cast their votes for the upcoming General Elections. In an early morning meeting on Monday, January 7th at the Princess Hotel and Casino, Prime Minister Said Musa and majority of Cabinet members met to discuss the final date set for elections and to advise the Governor General, Sir Colville Young to dissolve the National Assembly.
After the dissolution and declaration of the election date, the Prime Minister announced that on the same day as elections, Belizean voters will participate in a referendum which will be carried out on a separate ballot. This referendum will question whether the Belizean populace prefers having an elected senate or an appointed one. In a press briefing, Prime Minister Musa stated, “All that we are asking them to do is to decide on the issue, whether or not you want an elected senate. We are not deciding on Election Day the issue of an elected senate in the sense of working it all out. We will be putting out a model and a suggested model […].”
There are approximately 30 days before elections and the political campaigns have been kicked up to high gear. For those not fully acquainted on how the legislature works: Belize elects on a national level legislature. The National Assembly has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 29 members, elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies. For the coming general elections, this number will rise to 31. The Senate has 12 members appointed for a five year term.
Despite the overall record of independent candidates and third parties, the political process in Belize still sees its fair share of well-intentioned people stepping forward to serve the nation. Remember the deadline for voter registration is set for Thursday, January 10th, 2008, every vote counts!
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