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Jacinth Henry-Martin, Chief of Mission - OAS
"What I can say is that the peaceful processes really, these were something that we were commenting on at all times - that the people of Belize appeared to want to want to uphold the longstanding tradition of peaceful elections and their actions and the manner in which they conducted themselves I think that was evidence of that. I also want to say that the work of the electoral and boundaries commission, we interacted with them very often - they seem very well prepared. It is our view that the administrative processes worked well. On the actual day of election everyone seemed to be very okay with the processes and what needed to be done and after the closing of the polls, there was a seamless advance into the counting system that I think should be highly commended as well and so I am not, since I don't have a rating system, I'm not going to rate, but I am going to say that Belizeans ought to be highly commended for the efficiency of the processes and the mechanisms that were in place."

While there is much to be pleased with, the OAS Observer Team did note that a number of complaints were brought to them, including a report that politicians were paying for votes. She told us that it has been noted, and will be investigated:

Jacinth Henry-Martin, Chief of Mission - OAS
"The mission heard concerns regarding various elements of the voting process, including the size and the integrity of the voters list and allegations regarding the high number of transfers which appeared to some to leave insufficient time to adequate substantiation. Concerns were also expressed regarding the composition of the proxy registry and the time frame for political parties to access the final version of the registry prior to the election. The report of the 2012 UN emphasize the need for the Elections and Boundaries Commission to update the country's electoral boundaries in order to effect greater equity across electoral divisions. The 2015 UN noted that the issue persists. Several stakeholders mentioned the lack the campaign financing legislation in Belize. A recommendation emanating from the 2012 UN Report and reference the potential impact of campaign financing on the transparency of the electoral process. The mission also noted the perception of limited differentiation between the state and the governing party in terms of the use of resources during the campaign."

Daniel Ortiz
"We have this persistent report that, or at least a perception. We don't know if it was mischief making from one party or the other that money for votes happened. Where as soon as persons went to vote, they received payment for that. Did any of you received any report or observed anything in line with this suggestion?"

Jacinth Henry-Martin, Chief of Mission - OAS
"A report was made to at least one of our observers that there was some irregularity in that regard. It is going to be investigated. The observer personally did not witnessed it and as such that will form part of the report."

The OAS team also had recommendations to make to the Government and the Elections and Boundaries Department about how to improve the electoral process. Those included legislations to track and regulate campaign financing:

Jacinth Henry-Martin, Chief of Mission - OAS
"Number one; that efforts be made by all political parties and the government to continue to promote the participation of women in electoral competition and to create avenues to encourage the participation of youth at all levels of the political process. 2). That a comprehensive re-registration of voters be undertaken in accordance with the representation of the people's act as recommended by the OAS EOM in 2012 and there be establish by the competent authorities a clear and feasible limit for electors to register as proxy voters in order to allow the EBD to have a finalized proxy register within a reasonable time prior to the day of election. Legislation governing campaign financing be enacted in the 2012 UN Report and that the dormant integrity commission be reviewed be revive and that the dormant integrity commission be revive or another similar mechanism establish to oversee and supervise financial inflows during the campaign."

The OAS Team will present a more detailed report to the Government and the Elections and Boundaries Department.