Belize to hold general election on March 7

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

The Prime Minister of Belize announced on Tuesday that Parliament will be dissolved on Friday to clear the way for general elections on March 7, 2012.

Dean Barrow made the announcement in a lengthy address to the nation in which he said the vote will be held simultaneously with municipal and city elections.

Barrow told citizens that his ruling United Democratic Party had done well in the four years since taking office in 2008.

“We have accomplished much in this first term. Acting always for the people and with the support of the people, our overall record is a stellar one,” he said during his address.

He said his government maintained consistent economic growth, gave income tax relief to employees on fixed salaries and wrote off almost 15,000 mortgages for deserving families.

Barrow said despite government’s achievements there were those who still continued to assault its policies and efforts.

“We reject that and know they are wrong. But as proof we want a clear reaffirmation now of the mandate for us to continue and expand our mission. We want you to arm us and support us so we can tell the world that there will be no turning back,” he urged.

Barrow appealed to citizens to allow the country’s record for peaceful elections continue. “I appeal to all political parties and candidates to ensure that we maintain that record,” he said.

The Belize National Assembly comprises a House of Representatives and Senate similar to the Trinidad & Tobago legislature. There are 31 seats in the House and 12 Senate seats. Elections are constitutionally due every five years. The 2008 election was on February 7, so the election is coming a year ahead of schedule.

Barrow's party holds 25 of the seats in the legislature that will be dissolved this week. The opposition People's United Party has the other six.