Organization : Elections & Boundaries Department
Facility : Election FAQs
Country : Belize
Election FAQs : https://elections.gov.bz/
Official Website : http://www.elections.gov.bz/
Why register to vote?
There are 31 electoral divisions, 7 towns, 2 cities, 191 villages and communities.
Only registered voters have the right to elect Political Leaders at the National and Municipal level.
What are the laws pertaining to voter registration?
The Representation of the People Registration Rules, Chapter 9
Who is eligible to Register to Vote?
Every person who is:
1. 18 years or over
2. A citizen of:
** Belize
** Any Commonwealth Country who has resided in Belize for not less than 12 months
** Any Commonwealth Country who is domiciled in Belize, AND
3. Resident in the electoral division not less than 2 months
Where to register?
Visit the Registration Office of Elections and Boundaries Department in your Area. Thirteen District Offices countrywide are manned by Registration Officers.
What is the Cycle for Voter Registration?
The process of registration is continuous and it is conducted every working day. The process for a month is closed on the 10th in order to prepare the Temporary or Supplementary List for the 15th as required by law.
The Monthly Cycle is from the 11th of one month to the 10th of the other, for example:
August – 11th of July to the 10th of August
July – 11th of June to the 10th of July
** If a person applies on or before the 10th June, the process will be completed with June’s Revision Court at the end of June.
** If a person applies on the 11th of June or later, the process will be completed with July’s Revision Court at the end of July.
A Revised List is posted in all Registration Offices on or before the 5th of the month or immediatly after Revision Court. Copies of all monthly transactions are shared with the two major Political Parties.
What about the Revision Court?
The monthly Revision is held at the Magistrate Courts in all five District Towns and the Cities of Belmopan and Belize. Each Revision Court session is presided over by a Magistrate at the end of every month. The Court has until the 5th day of the following month to complete its determination of all matters.
Who sets the Revision Court date?
Registration Officers and or the Chief Elections Officer based on the legal requirements and the schedule of each Magistrate.
What reason are there to reject a ballot?
There are five (5) reasons as follows:
** The ballot paper does not have the Presiding Officer’s initials on the back of it
** The elector votes for more candidates than seats
** The ballot paper is not marked for any candidate
** The ballot paper contains any mark or writing that can identify the elector
** The ballot paper is unmarked or void for uncertainty
What is a rejected ballot?
A rejected ballot is a void vote, or a bad vote. It is declared void by the Returning Officer in the Counting Station. A rejected vote is not a part of the votes counted for each candidate.
What is a Spoilt Ballot?
A spoilt ballot is a cancelled ballot. The cancellation is done by the Presiding Officer in the Polling Station. A spoilt ballot does not make it into the ballot box and does not become a vote.
Who sets the Revision Court date?
Registration Officers and or the Chief Elections Officer based on the legal requirements and the schedule of each Magistrate.