2020 Belizean general election facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
2020 Belizean general election

← 2015 11 November 2020
All 31 seats in the House of Representatives 16 seats needed for a majority
Leader Patrick Faber Johnny Briceño Party United Democratic Party (Belize) People's United Party Leader since 12 July 2020 31 January 2016 (2016-01-31) Leader's seat Collet Orange Walk Central Last election 19 seats 12 seats Current seats 19 seats 12 seats Seats needed 4   BPP BPF Leader Patrick Rogers Nancy Marin Party Belize Progressive Party Belize People's Front Leader since 30 September 2015 (2015-09-30) October 2013 Leader's seat Contesting Pickstock Contesting Cayo North East Last election None None Current seats None None Seats needed 16 16
Incumbent Prime Minister Dean Barrow United Democratic Party (Belize)

The 2020 general election in Belize was a big event for the country. On November 11, 2020, people in Belize voted to choose new leaders. These leaders would fill the 31 seats in the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is a very important part of Belize's government. Its members help make laws and decide how the country is run.

About the 2020 Belize Election

This election was held to pick the people who would represent different areas of Belize. The party that won the most seats would usually form the new government. They would also choose the next Prime Minister.

When Was the Election?

The previous general election in Belize happened on November 4, 2015. The new group of elected officials, called the National Assembly, started their work on November 13, 2015.

Belize's rules say that the National Assembly usually lasts for five years. This means the next election would normally be by February 13, 2021. However, the Prime Minister can ask the Governor-General to end the Assembly's term earlier. If this happens, a new election must be held within three months.

Why Was the Election Held Early?

Even though the term is five years, many past elections in Belize have been held earlier. Both the Prime Minister at the time, Dean Barrow, and the main opposition party, the People's United Party, thought that the term should be shorter, maybe four years.

Prime Minister Barrow had planned to step down as Prime Minister by the end of 2019. But his team asked him to stay until 2020. He did say he would leave his role as leader of the United Democratic Party earlier. He even hinted that an early election might happen in 2020. However, in May 2019, he confirmed that the election would be in November 2020.

On October 5, 2020, Prime Minister Barrow officially announced that the election would be on November 11, 2020. The official paperwork for the election was filed soon after by the Governor-General. The National Assembly was officially closed on November 6, just before the election.

See also

In Spanish: Elecciones generales de Belice de 2020 para niños