Court Strikes Out Case on Belize’s Electoral Boundaries

The Supreme Court has dismissed a legal challenge over Belize’s electoral boundaries, ruling that the claimants were re-litigating a matter already settled by a consent order.

Justice Hondora ruled that seven citizens abused the court process by filing a claim that was “substantially the same” as one brought in 2019 and resolved in 2022. The group argued that the current electoral map violates the Belize Constitution by failing to guarantee equal representation across constituencies.

That earlier matter was settled with an agreement that the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) would review and propose updated boundaries. The claimants alleged non-compliance and returned to court seeking constitutional declarations that Schedule 1 of the Representation of the People Act was unconstitutional.

Justice Hondora held that the claimants were bound by the original settlement and failed to set it aside before launching fresh litigation.

He also ruled that the lead claimant in the new case, Roody Wade, who was not part of the 2019 claim, had “privity of interest” and could not revive the matter under a new name.

Both sides have until July 31st, 2025 to settle the issue of legal costs.