Belize's Electoral Trifecta: Understanding The Three Distinct Voting Processes

Belize holds three types of elections: general elections, by-elections, and referendums.

General elections are held at the national level, where Belizeans elect a bicameral legislature called the National Assembly. The National Assembly consists of the House of Representatives, with 31 members elected for terms of up to five years, and the Senate, with 13 seats. The party with the most seats in the House of Representatives forms the government, with their party leader becoming the Prime Minister.

By-elections are held to replace representatives, either locally or nationally, who are lost during their term.

Referendums are held on issues of national or local importance.

Belize's two-party system

Belize has a two-party system, with the centre-left People's United Party (PUP) and the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP) dominating the political landscape. This two-party system has been in place since the pre-independence election of 1974. While there are other small parties that participate in governmental elections, it is difficult for anyone to achieve electoral success outside of the two main parties.

The PUP and the UDP have historically alternated as the ruling party in Belize. The PUP was the party in power when Belize gained independence in 1981 and has since governed the country on several occasions, most recently from 2020 onwards. The UDP has also had multiple stints in power, most recently from 2008 to 2020.

The PUP is considered pro-labour and fosters the idea of political independence, while the UDP is pro-business and believes in the equitable distribution of public services from the government. Both parties are, however, relatively close on the political spectrum.

The two-party system is also evident in local elections, although independents and third-party candidates have been making gains in recent years. In Belize City and Belmopan, the two recognised cities, the system follows the first-past-the-post method, with one mayor and ten councillors elected in Belize City, and one mayor and six councillors in Belmopan.

The two-party system in Belize has resulted in a largely stable political environment, with power alternating between the PUP and the UDP. However, the emergence of new parties and the growing challenge from smaller parties indicate a dynamic and evolving political landscape in the country.

The role of the Governor-General

The Governor-General of Belize is the representative of the country's monarch, currently King Charles III. The Governor-General is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Belize. The current Governor-General is Dame Froyla Tzalam, who has held the position since 27 May 2021.

The Governor-General has several important functions and powers, including:

• Dissolving the National Assembly of Belize: Under sections 84 and 85 of the Constitution, the Governor-General can dissolve or prorogue the Assembly on the advice of the Prime Minister. A general election must then be called within three months, unless the Governor-General sees a reason not to do so.
• Appointing ministers, judges, and ambassadors: The Governor-General is responsible for appointing various officials, including ministers, judges, and ambassadors.
• Issuing writs for elections: The Governor-General formally initiates the election process by issuing writs.
• Giving royal assent to legislation: On behalf of the Sovereign, the Governor-General gives royal assent to laws passed by the National Assembly of Belize.
• Ceremonial duties: The Governor-General hosts events at the official residence, bestows honours, and attends military parades and special occasions. They also welcome visiting heads of state and receive the credentials of foreign diplomats.

The Governor-General's powers are derived from the Constitution of Belize, specifically Part IV, sections 30 to 35, which outline the Governor-General's roles and responsibilities.

In addition to these specific duties, the Governor-General also has reserve powers that can be exercised independently of ministerial advice. These include appointing a prime minister in the event of a 'hung parliament', dismissing the prime minister if they lose the confidence of parliament, dismissing any minister acting unlawfully, and refusing to dissolve the House of Representatives despite requests from the prime minister.

The National Assembly

Belize elects a bicameral legislature called the National Assembly. The House of Representatives is the more powerful lower chamber, with 31 members elected for terms of up to five years in single-seat constituencies on a first-past-the-post basis. Members of the Belize House are called "area representatives" and are accorded the title of "The Honourable."

The upper house of the National Assembly, the Senate, has 13 seats. Senators are officially appointed by the Governor-General of Belize. In current practice, the majority party in the House appoints six senators, the minority party appoints three, and the remaining four senators are appointed by nonpartisan groups.

The Governor-General of Belize can dissolve the National Assembly at any time under the advice of the Prime Minister, with the caveat that a general election must be called within three months of such dissolution.

The House of Representatives

Each year, the House of Representatives approves a budget that outlines the Government's policies. During debates on the budget, each elected member discusses the budget's impact on their respective constituencies. They also represent the actions of the House and the Government to the people. The House has several mechanisms to hold the Government accountable, including question time for Backbenchers and Opposition Members to question Ministers, provisions for general and urgent debates, and Select Committees to investigate Government matters.

The Senate

• Six with the advice of the Prime Minister
• Three with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition
• One with the joint advice of the Belize Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association of Churches
• One with the joint advice of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Business Bureau
• One with the joint advice of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and the Civil Society Steering Committee
• One with the advice of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in good standing
• Approving any bill to alter any provision of Part II of the Belize Constitution
• Authorizing the ratification of any treaty by the Government of Belize, including any treaty for the settlement of the territorial dispute between Belize and the Republic of Guatemala
• Approving the establishment of any foreign military bases in Belize
• Approving the appointment of the Contractor General, the Ombudsman, members of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, and members of the Integrity Commission
• Instituting and conducting inquiries and investigations on any matter of public interest or importance, including inquiries into mismanagement or corruption by persons in the central government or public statutory bodies
• Receiving, reviewing, and reporting on annual reports and other documents from the Auditor General, the Contractor General, and the Ombudsman
• Requiring the attendance of any Chief Executive Officer in a Government Ministry to answer questions related to their office and the execution of their duties
• Requiring the attendance of any Minister of Government before any Committee of the Senate

In addition to these specific functions, the Senate also discusses and debates bills coming from the House of Representatives. In practice, the party that wins the general election by capturing the most seats in the lower House of Representatives also controls the Senate.

Frequently asked questions