By Belize Live News Staff: The internal turmoil within Belize’s United Democratic Party (UDP) escalated this week as the UDP National Party Council (NPC) confirmed various decisions of the National Executive including the expulsion of prominent members amidst a growing leadership crisis. The motion presented to the NPC had various components, including “affirming the decision of the National Convention of August 2023” to allow elected members of the National Executive to serve until the National Convention is held immediately after the next general election. In addition, the NPC also supported the National Executive’s decision deeming key figures, including Tracy Panton, John Saldivar, and others, to have ‘constructively resigned’ or rather ‘expelled’ from the party. However, the NPC did not meet in person and the decisions, including the continued reference to Tracy Panton and others having been expelled, have sparked a heated controversy, with opponents alleging that the process was unconstitutional.
The resolution was reportedly passed via a WhatsApp group, with opponents alleging that the decisions are not legitimate. Insiders within the party have confirmed to Belize Live News that 59 delegates cast their votes in favour of the motion. The Party’s Constitution requires a majority of the 114 delegates to attend or participate in the NPC meeting or decision and while the opponents allege that the final tally fell short of the required majority, officials within the party say that a simple majority of the NPC can make a decision and that 59 votes are enough to form the majority in attendance or in favour of the motion.
The Alliance for Democracy, a splinter group which claims to still all be UDP, criticized the motion and decisions, arguing that the move lacked the necessary support and accusing the party of not following constitutional procedures. They cite the NPC’s own regulations, which require 50 percent plus one vote for resolutions to be valid and allege that this requirement was not met. According to the party officials, this requirement was met as the 50 percent plus one vote is in reference to those attending or participating in the NPC voting and a quorum for voting is formed by a simple majority of the 114 delegates.
Following the vote via WhatsApp, the Party Chairman declared the motion passed.
