But, if Anand Ramlogan, and his clients Jerry Enriquez, Rudolph and Jessica Tulcey have their way - that election will not be called without the house first debating and voting on the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2024. That's the one which includes the redistricting proposals. It's been tabled in the house, but gone no further than that.
Ramlagan has written to the government saying his clients have instructed that if government proceeds to election without first considering that piece of legislation, he has been instructed to, quote, "seek urgent interim relief to restrain the government and/or the Elecitons and Boundaries Commission from conducting the general election on the basis of the existing boundaries of the electoral divisions that are in breach of section 90 of the Constitution."
We spoke with Enriquez via Zoom today. He was ready to file the injunction from today - if government had not indicated that it will not be called on Friday. He told us about the meaning and intent of his attorney's letter:
Jerry Enriquez, Claimant - Challenge to GOB Inaction on redistricting
"We've sent this letter, this pre-action protocol to those parties in the government of Belize to indicate our intention to file an injunction before elections are called. And so I hand-delivered, we email this to them yesterday. I hand-delivered it to their office, and it is well known, that, by now that we intend to file an injunction as, against the election, but also, if the election proceeds, we will also continue to take this to court because it would be an illegal election, and it will have to be corrected."
"This election, if it continues, and I will say to the whole nation and I want all the organizations, to hear that, and to get off their seats, to voice their acknowledgment that if such an election is called, it is unconstitutional, it violates the supreme law of Belize, it is illegal, and therefore should be declared null and void."
Jules Vasquez
"And if such an election is held, you and your attorney would challenge the outcome to overturn, reverse, or negate it, declare it nugatory?"
Jerry Enriquez, Claimant - Challenge to GOB Inaction on redistricting
"We will take it right through to the highest court if necessary. Because, as I say, this is a landmark case. What this is showcasing is that the government of Belize has consistently violated the Constitution, and the government must be called to task, and they must be held accountable that they're not above the law."
Enriquez explained why any election with the current voters list would be illegitimate:
Jerry Enriquez, Claimant - Challenge to GOB Inaction on redistricting
"We cannot have an election where in one case you have 62% over the average, and another case about 62% below the average for constituencies. So you have constituencies like Belmopan and Stann Creek West with more than 10,000 registered voters. And then you have constituents like Fort George and Mesopotamia, only less than 3000. There's a huge gap."
"So there are severe malapportions, so severe that I see this as a constitutional crisis when the government repeatedly ignore the, taking actions towards re-divisioning our electoral divisions, such that they are near, as near to equal as possible in compliance with our constitution. So I think our government then, of both administrations have been doing an injustice to the people."
"And even now, especially, as government is preparing to call for elections. I see this as a blatant and shameless violation of the rights of the people."
Jules Vasquez
"Your attorney has written that he believes if an election is held without the redistricting, it will invalidate the vote and amount to a waste of time because he argues that the election, the result will not be binding because it's not in conformity with the constitutional requirement."
Jerry Enriquez, Claimant - Challenge to GOB Inaction on redistricting
"It will be a fraudulent election because the Constitution is clear. It is the supreme law that protects the interests of the people. Political parties that we have, both political parties are trying to manipulate our democracy for their benefit and completely violating the Constitution. They are not above the law."
Jules Vasquez
"If they have an election in March without the redistricting, will you vote?"
Jerry Enriquez, Claimant - Challenge to GOB Inaction on redistricting
"I have stated even to my family, that I'm not participating in an election that is illegal. I have stated that to my family, friends, I will not vote. But what I will do is to ensure that we challenge that election as a fraudulent one."
We'll see where and when the challenges are lodged.