We took the opportunity to ask Francis Fonseca about his views on the redistricting problem, the 19-year delay to get it done, and the distortion of the democratic process resulting from that failure to follow the constitution properly.
For the last two nights, we've been sharing our special report on an investigation spanning several weeks to ponder this issue. Our analysis has led us to the conclusion that because of that extended delay, the weighting of each vote from a registered elector is not equal, as the constitution calls for. It has created what we're calling "most valuable voters" in the constituencies that are too small and "least valuable voters" in the constituencies that are too big.
Our study suggests that the "most valuable voters" are concentrated in the Belize District. So, since Fonseca is the Area Representative for Freetown, we asked about his views on that matter. Here's what he had to say:
Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown
"Let us be clear that there is a process underway and we have to respect that process. This is not a process being driven by political parties or by government. This is a process driven by Elections and Boundaries Commission, by technical experts that they have engaged to work along with them. So, we have to wait for their final reports. That work is ongoing as I understand it. Of course, that will be presented to the national Assembly and we will then as members of the National Assembly to review that work and those recommendations. I know that at the court hearing certain recommendations have been made by experts, so we have to wait for the official report by the Elections and Boundaries Commission on this matter. But, as a politician who has ran in many elections I know very well that the democracy has been warped and fractured for a long time."
Daniel Ortiz
"You guys inherited a problem though."
Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown
"But, we are committed to fixing it, so we have not shied away as did the previous government, from moving this process forward. We made a commitment to the Belizean people that we would do redistricting, we are doing it. We have to do it through a formal process. We went to court, we made certain agreements, so we arrive at a consent order with the other parties involved and we're moving forward. We are fulfilling our obligations under that consent order. In Belize City of course we have to look at what happens in Belize City, but we'll await the formal report. It's a process driven by elections and boundaries and then I imagine as a parliament make tough decisions about what we do moving forward."
Daniel Ortiz
"If you lose voters or your constituency is merged into another, what are thoughts? I'm sure you've developed a very strong relationship with your voters. What are your thoughts on that?"
Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown
"I'm one of those politicians who believes that every time there are changes, it's not the first time my constituency would be change, if it changed. It has changed over the years; I've won 5 elections and there have been changes over those 20 years that I have been a representative. So for me I don't worry about that kind of thing. It is all about building relationships. It is an opportunity to engage with new people, meet new people."
