Belize City Council Elections: Unraveling The Frequency Mystery

City council elections in Belize are held every three years, on the first Wednesday in March. The last municipal election was held on 4 March 2015, and the next is scheduled for 6 March 2024. The elections are conducted in accordance with the Representation of the People's Act, Revised Edition 2011.

Municipal elections are held every three years

In Belize, municipal elections are held every three years on the first Wednesday in March. This applies to both town and city councils, which act independently of each other and are governed by their own legislation. The next municipal election is scheduled for 6 March 2024.

The elections are conducted in accordance with the Representation of the People's Act, Revised Edition 2011. An advocacy body, the Belize Mayors' Association, provides collective support on behalf of the town and city governments. The Association is currently headed by the Mayor of Belmopan.

Belize has seven towns and two recognised cities: Belize City and Belmopan. Each town and city is headed by an elected Mayor, who is regarded as the Accounting Officer of the city or town council. The exception is Belize City, where the City Administrator is the Accounting Officer.

In the 2021 municipal elections, voters elected a total of 67 representatives, including a mayor in each of the nine communities, 42 town councils, and 16 city councillors. The People's United Party won all nine municipalities and 65 of the 67 municipal seats.

Belize has two cities and seven towns

Belize City is the largest city in Belize, with a population of around 60,000 people. It is the country's economic centre and is home to its main port. Culturally, the city boasts museums, galleries, and festivals, and is a popular destination for cruise ships sailing around the Caribbean. Belize City also has greater representation and importance in the country's elections, with one mayor and ten councillors elected, as opposed to one mayor and six councillors for Belmopan and the towns.

Belmopan, meanwhile, is the smallest capital city in the continental Americas, with a population of around 20,000 people. It became the capital in 1970, following the destruction caused by Hurricane Hattie in 1961.

The seven towns of Belize are Benque Viejo del Carmen, Corozal Town, Dangriga, Orange Walk Town, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio/Santa Elena, and San Pedro Town. The largest of these in terms of population is Saint Nacho and Santa Elena (which together make up the San Ignacio Municipal Group), with just over 21,000 residents.

City and town council elections in Belize are held every three years on the first Wednesday in March. The last municipal election was held on 4 March 2015, and the next is scheduled for 6 March 2024.

Mayors are elected as Accounting Officers

In Belize, city council elections are held every three years on the first Wednesday in March. The last municipal election was held on March 4, 2015, and the next one is scheduled for March 6, 2024.

• Oversight of budget preparation and administration
• Grants administration
• Investments, insurance, and risk management
• Accounting and auditing
• Collection of taxes, licenses, and other revenues
• Ensuring compliance with contract requirements and accurate accounting
• Processing encumbrance and payment transactions
• Preparing financial reports

The role of Accounting Officer is a critical one, requiring extensive experience in accounting and finance. In the City of Birmingham, for example, Mayor Randall L. Woodfin appointed Diana L. Bolden, a 26-year accounting professional, as Chief Financial Officer. Bolden's duties encompass a wide range of financial responsibilities, including budget management, grants administration, and revenue collection.

The election of mayors as Accounting Officers ensures that they are directly accountable for the financial management of their municipalities. This structure promotes transparency and good governance, as mayors are responsible for overseeing the fiscal health and stability of their towns or cities.

The next municipal election is in March 2024

In Belize, city and town councils are dissolved on the last Sunday of February every third year, with elections called for the first Wednesday in March. This means that the next municipal election is in March 2024.

The municipal elections in Belize are held in accordance with the Representation of the People's Act, Revised Edition 2011. The elections are conducted for the nine communities, 42 town councils, and 16 city councillors (10 in Belize City and 6 in Belmopan).

The municipal elections in Belize are an important process that allows for local representation and governance. The elected officials, including mayors and councillors, are responsible for the administration and decision-making processes within their respective municipalities.

The two-party system in Belize, consisting of the centre-left People's United Party (PUP) and the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP), often dominates these elections. However, in recent years, independent candidates and third-party candidates have also made significant strides in local elections.

The upcoming March 2024 municipal election will be an opportunity for Belizeans to exercise their democratic right to elect their local representatives and shape the direction of their communities for the next term.

The two-party system is in effect

City and town council elections in Belize are held every three years on the first Wednesday in March. The last municipal election was held on 4 March 2015, and the next is scheduled for 6 March 2024.

Belize has a two-party system, which has been in place since the pre-independence 1974 election. The two parties are the centre-left People's United Party (PUP) and the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP). It has been difficult for anyone to achieve electoral success as an independent or under the banner of any other party. The two-party system is also in effect in city council elections, but independents and third-party candidates have been performing well in recent local elections.

In the 2021 municipal elections, voters elected a total of 67 representatives, including mayors, town councils, and city councillors. The PUP won all nine municipalities and 65 of the 67 municipal seats. The PUP's victory in 2021 followed their 2020 Belizean general election win. In 2018, the UDP won 41 seats, with the PUP picking up the remaining 26.

Frequently asked questions