BELMOPAN, Belize – Prime Minister Dean Barrow yesterday announced March 7 as the date for general elections, almost a year ahead of the constitutional deadline.
He said that the National Assembly will be dissolved on Friday and Nomination Day will be February 17.
“We will thus have both the municipal and general election on the same day. Now elections in this country are always hard-fought, costly, and by their very nature divisive. Having the two in one will thus save the taxpayer money, and mean a single, quick healing process.
“Whoever wins can then get on straightaway with the business of binding up wounds and uniting our country; of governing in the best interest of all Belizeans; of continuing to meet the challenges of the unfavourable international climate,” Prime Minister Barrow said.
In the February 2008 general elections, Barrow’s United Democratic Party (UDP) won 25 of the 31 seats with the remaining six going to the People’s United Party (PUP).
In his national broadcast, Barrow said he had been “proud and grateful” to lead the UDP government since February 2008. (CMC)
