Is Belize’s Voting Map Fair? Case Goes to the CCJ

Just over a year after it began, a legal battle over Belize’s election boundaries has landed before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), as activist Jeremy Enriquez asked the regional court to revive his stalled challenge.

Enriquez argues that some constituencies in Belize have far more voters than others, which he says violates citizens’ right to equal representation under the Constitution of Belize. His case, first filed in February 2025, sought to delay the 2025 Belize general election until electoral boundaries were updated.

But the Court of Appeal struck out several of his appeals, including one tied to the High Court’s refusal to block the election and another over a cost order against his attorney. Now, Enriquez’s legal team is asking the CCJ to give those matters new life.

Government attorneys countered that the election had already been held, making the request irrelevant. Attorney Illiana Swift, appearing for the Attorney General, said bluntly: “The election has been held, and as the applicants accepted, they are no longer seeking that injunction in the High Court.”

Lawyers for the Elections and Boundaries Commission also questioned whether there is any live issue left for the CCJ to decide.

Meanwhile, the Elections and Boundaries Department is already preparing for the next municipal elections under newly adjusted town limits. According to Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, officers are mapping those changes to ensure voters are placed in the correct municipalities and to produce an accurate voters list ahead of the 2027 municipal polls.