‘Constitutional Independence’ or Pure Secrecy? EBC Defers FOIA
Social activist Jeremy Enriquez says the Elections and Boundaries Commission has effectively stonewalled a Freedom of Information request which seeks details on Belize’s long-delayed electoral redistricting process.
In a sharp response to Enriquez, signed by Chairman Oscar Sabido, the Commission raised a wall of legal objections. First, it argued the volume of documents requested was excessive. Second, it suggested the request may conflict with ongoing litigation in which Enriquez, the Attorney General, and the Commission are all parties. Third, and most significantly, the Commission asserted it does not fall within the definition of a “Ministry” or “Prescribed Authority” under the FOIA at all.
The Commission cited Section 88 of the Belize Constitution directly. “In the exercise of its functions, the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority and shall, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, act in accordance with the Representation of the People Act or any other law, rule or regulation relating to elections,” the letter states.
The Commission’s bottom line was equally firm. “The Commission defers the provisions of access pursuant to Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act until verification by a court of law that the Commission is required under aforesaid section to proffer the responses requested.”
In plain terms, the EBC is saying it will not provide the information until a court forces it to.
Enriquez submitted the FOIA request on 8 June 2026, seeking documents on the redistricting timeline, methodology, consultants engaged, expenditures incurred, draft proposals, and correspondence with government officials. The Commission responded on 22 June but provided none of the requested documents.
That leaves Enriquez with limited options. The standard avenue for challenging a failed FOIA response is a complaint to the Ombudsman. That office, however, has been vacant since December 2025, after the government chose not to renew the contract of former Ombudsman Major (Ret’d) H. Gilbert Swaso. No replacement has been appointed.
Enriquez maintains the redistricting exercise carries significant constitutional weight, directly determining whether Belizean voters enjoy equal representation. Enriquez had previously warned in a June 10 interview, “No more of this secrecy with which this government tends to operate.”
The government has publicly committed to completing it by the end of 2026.