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And while the Chairman of the PUP has legal questions, the Belize Peace Movement - who triggered the whole process has expressed, quote, "consternation" at the proposals.
A letter from their attorney Arthur Saldivar says, quote, "The request that your proposal makes for adherence to a deviation of 25% to 35% from the national mean of registered electors be accepted is noted with great consternation," end quote.
Saldivar then refers to the consent order of 29th November, 2022, which specifically requested and the parties agreed "that in this process the defendants shall consult the guidelines set out in the Court's EXPERT REPORT of SEAN P TRENDE dated October 14, 2020" In relation to allowable international norms and electoral thresholds. And that report states that "overall most countries seem to employ an allowable deviation threshold of between 10% and 15%"
But the one proposed by Elections and Boundaries goes as high as 35%!
With that, Saldivar writes, quote, "the Claimants hereby register their objection to your report and request its revision to keep in line with international standards. I am also instructed to serve notice…of the intent….to invoke the provisions of the consent order and the Constitution of Belize to seek redress as deemed necessary."
And that means…..? Another case in court for Government. We'll keep you posted.
