Senate Approves New Elections and Boundaries Commission Appointments

The Senate this morning approved a key motion paving the way for the appointment of a new Elections and Boundaries Commission, a move seen as critical to advancing Belize’s long-anticipated redistricting exercise.  The motion, debated and passed during today’s sitting in Belmopan, confirms the appointment of Oscar Sabido Puga as Chairperson, along with Orlando Espat, Conrad Lewis, Juliet Thimbriel, and Aldo Salazar as members. The commission will serve for a period of five years, effective February 1, 2026.  Leading the discussion, Government Lead Senator Eamon Courtenay emphasized that the composition of the commission is intended to support the government’s commitment to electoral redistricting, ensuring that the process can move forward in a structured and constitutional manner.  In that same exchange, UDP Lead Senator Patrick Faber indicated support from the opposition benches, signaling rare bipartisan agreement on the importance of the commission’s role.

Eamon Courtenay, Senator, Leader of Government Business: “Mr. Oscar Sabido Puga,Mr. Orlando Espat, Mr. Conrad Lewis, Mr. Juliette Thimbriel and Mr. Aldo Salazar are persons of integrity and high national standing, approves their appointment as members of the Elections and Boundaries Commission for a period of five years with effect from the 1st of February, 2026 in accordance with the aforesaid provisions of the constitution. Madam President, this side of the Senate supports the appointment of all members of the commission as proposed by the Prime Minister and by the Leader of the Opposition. And we ask that the appointments be carried forward today with the support of the Senate in order that the most important redistricting exercise can be undertaken and presented to the National Assembly for approval.”

Senate President: I recognize Senator Patrick Faber. 

Patrick Faber, UDP Senator:“Madam President, if I may join with you and the leader of government business to welcome and I’m understanding it’s welcome back to Senator Dr. Elma Kay to the chambers of the Senate and let me as well Madam President add my support to the support of the government side because we believe that the individuals named in the motion are indeed fit and proper persons to be members of the Election and Boundaries Commission so we do give our support as well thank you.”

The appointments were made in accordance with the Belize Constitution, which mandates that members of the Elections and Boundaries Commission be persons of integrity and high national standing, with selections involving both consultation and concurrence between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.