And while the financing is not as fat as it might be in an election where political control is at stake - if you go by two opinion polls - one online and one by phone - it would suggest that the government side has effectively built the case for a yes.
The online poll sponsored by IDEALABS is named the "ICJ Referendum Real Time Poll" and it went live about a week ago. So far, of the 1443 votes, 64% have voted yes, and 36% have voted no. And while online polling is not considered to be highly reliable because of variances in internet access, it does tell a story.
Statistician Martin Aldana also conducted a randomized telephone poll in March where he spoke to 1,300 respondents across the country. About 900 were registered voters and 45% of them said they would vote yes, while 27% said they would vote no, and 22% were undecided.
Again, that was in March and a whole lot has happened since them. But, the PM said those polling numbers are one of the reasons he is cautiously optimistic - and that's why he's also urging voters not to see the vote as a chance to send a message to his government:
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Look, those of you who can't wait to vote against the government, you don't have long to go, its next year right here. Don't use this as a basis for doing that. This is about Belize. This is about trying to get rid of this blasted claim. This is about getting these people to stop messing with our heads playing mind games with us. This is about doing not just what is right for Belize, but what is the only thing we can do. What is the option? What is the alternative? Those who are voting no, what do we do then? Just go back in some bubble, some time warp and start to negotiate again. Which Belizean ever negotiate this claim? Negotiations pre-supposes that you are going to make concessions. You tell me who will go out there and make any concessions. So there is no alternative and to me that's what is the pincher. This is the only way to get this thing sorted out."
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