May 8th, that's the new date 2 for the ICJ referendum. That's after Government was forced to postpone it on April 10th due to the Supreme Court injunction that the PUP convinced Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin to grant them.
And while the government has followed the procedures prescribed by the 2019 Belize Territorial Dispute Referendum Act, which was passed by parliament last week, will the PUP challenge it again?
Our colleagues from Love News spoke with Opposition Leader John Briceño last week about the new date, and here's what he told them:
Voice of: Hon. John Briceno - Leader of the Opposition
"We still can't understand what is the new haste with the Prime Minister with holding this referendum so quickly. It begs the question. Has he made a deal with somebody? Do they have to respond to somebody? Why such a hurry? We've been saying it over and over. Let's hit the pause button. Let's sit down and work together as Belizeans, and try to come up with the best decision for Belize. I don't the Prime Minister is living up to that commitment to do what is best for Belize."
Reporter
"Do you feel that perhaps this rush will hamper the outcome and perhaps even the results?"
Voice of: Hon. John Briceno
"Well I think it makes Belizeans very suspicious. Why are you hurrying. Why can't you give us the chance to sit back and see how best we can move this forward. Belizeans are very suspicious, and it could have a negative effect on the results of the referendum."
"If we believe that we are not ready, we will have to sit down as a party to decide what is going to be the position moving forward."
Next week Monday, the Government and the Opposition will go before the Chief Justice for a first hearing in the PUP's case against the Special Agreement.
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