By Belize Live News Staff: The Belize government has yet to receive a formal request regarding a proposal to allow prisoners on remand to vote in the upcoming general election, according to Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre.
The issue was raised by Attorney Michelle Trapp Zuniga, who has written to the Elections and Boundaries Commission, urging that detainees serving sentences of twelve months or less and registered in their respective constituencies be given the right to vote. She argues that failing to accommodate them would amount to a constitutional violation.
Sylvestre, however, clarified that his office has not received any official communication regarding the matter.
“They would clearly have to review it and send it to our office, and we would review and seek our advice on the matter,” he said when asked how the government would respond if the request were received.
The proposal has sparked debate, with some calling for broader discussions on prisoner voting rights in Belize. Supporters of the initiative emphasize that prisoners on remand have not been convicted of any crime and therefore should not be denied their voting rights. Others argue that implementing a system to allow detainees to vote would present security and logistical challenges so close to the election.
With less than two weeks before Belizeans head to the polls, it remains to be seen whether any action will be taken to accommodate remand prisoners or if the matter will be postponed for further legal examination.
