We also got to speak with Public Service Minister Henry Charles Usher, the People's United Party's Chairman and Area Representative of Fort George.
As viewers will remember, our data analysis suggests that his constituency had the "most valuable voters." In the 2020 General Elections, a vote in Fort George was worth five times as much as a vote in Stann Creek West, the biggest constituency.
But, Henry Charles Usher disagrees with our conclusion about his constituency, and in an interview, he suggested that it was "theoretical." Here's that discussion:
Henry Charles Usher, Area Representative, Fort George
"I've seen the stories that you've run the last couple days, Daniel, and they're in-depth, but they have some misinformation in there."
Daniel Ortiz
"Share with me sir, I'm always willing to learn."
Henry Charles Usher, Area Representative, Fort George
"In terms of the idea that one voter is more powerful than another voter, that's just a theoretical exercise, because at the end of the day the constitution of Belize allows one vote per person and I've seen the stories and I do agree with you that the constitution has to be followed and we have to make sure that the constituencies are as close as possible to each other. There is a discrepancy that is allowed internationally and we have to look towards making sure that they are as close as possible going forward. This is an exercise that should have happened a long time ago. As Minister Fonseca said earlier, the previous administration kicked this can down the road. They were happy in the way the constituencies were divided. The 2020 elections happened. It was a pledge in Plan Belize to make sure we carry out redistricting and we have started that process. It's an exercise that's done by the elections and boundaries commission. They are an independent bipartisan body, meaning that you have representation from the People's United Party and the representation from the UDP."
We also challenged him on the greater influence that the Belize District voters may enjoy over electors from the other five districts. Here's that part of the conversation:
Daniel Ortiz
"It can be argued that the one with the most constituencies has the most influence over national wealth distribution and national resource deployment. Do you agree or disagree?"
Henry Charles Usher, Area Representative, Fort George
"Well, if you look at the statistics and looking at September 1st, 2022 which is the last time I did an analysis of it. At that time there were 188,696 voters. Belize District has 30% of those voters followed by Cayo which has 25%, Orange Walk which has around 18%, Corozal and then Stann Creek and Toledo have about equally around 8%. So if you take that 30% of 31 seats are 10. That's where Belize District is currently at 12 or 13 in you include Belize Rural South. So we have to make sure that it's a portion properly. But look at the statistics, it's not only about saying oh this particular area has more say because it has more seats, but we also have to look at the statistics. Traditionally, there are more voters in Belize District than Cayo and we have to make sure that the constituencies represent that as well."
