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And in Tuesday's Cabinet, the members also registered what they call "serious concerns" about the recommendations made by the Commission. We wanted a clearer idea of what those concerns were, so we asked the Deputy Prime Minister, who explained that it had to do with the seemingly unequal number of proposed voters in each constituency. Here's how he explained it.
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister
"We do have major concerns. We had a major concern with the, I believe it's the deviation rate, I can't recall the exact term, the deviation rate that that proposal is looking at 25% when globally, across the world, the accepted rate is somewhere closer to 15% so that immediately sent off alarm bells. We also want to be in compliance with the constitution that says that each constituency division is supposed to have as close a number as possible, equal number of possible in terms of electors. That's what we want and what we saw on Tuesday did not pass that smell test. So ultimately this thing will be tabled in the National Assembly but I would want to think that the commission will have to have a do over, but that's where we are, that's our initial reaction to it."
"I think the proposal didn't contemplate additional constituencies, I think it will, whatever is reduced will be offset by whatever is added so I think, the suggestion is 31. But I don't want to get into all the details, I don't know all the details, I just know what I saw there did not pass the smell test and ultimately what we present to the people or what we agree on at the National Assembly should be something that pass the smell test, should be something that the Belize people can accept as close to compliance with the constitution as possible."
Reporter:
"Will there be any changes to your division?"
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister
"Not in that proposal it was contemplated but I mean 15 years ago, they took away 2,300 votes from my 6,300 voters that I had then, a full one third of my constituency, including the area where I grew up, so that was a very painful exercise so on a selfish level, I'm good with this proposal, but that's not what it's about, ultimately it's about making sure we are in compliance with the constitution."
Reporter: "Why did the government see the need to restrict the media from analyzing and reporting on the proposal?"
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister
"Well, you know sometimes things get contentious between us but we need to move beyond that and we need to try to work together, your work and my work is supposed to be in furtherance of the people, it's supposed to illuminate and enlighten people, sometimes things do get contentious but ultimately, I don't even know who put that release so, but, enough said."
