Belize legislative election, 1984
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Belize
on 14 December 1984. The result was a victory for the opposition United Democratic Party
, which won 21 of the 28 seats. Voter turnout was 75.0%.
had never lost an election at the national level, whilst the opposition had never won more than six seats (out of a possible eighteen in 1974). However, by 1984 the PUP were presiding over an economy in recession and that had just recently been bailed out by the IMF
. The party was internally fractured and faced a United Democratic Party that had made significant gains since losing the last general election in 1979.
Just a few months before elections, Prime Minister George Price
ordered a redistricting
of electoral boundaries. This created ten new constituencies for a total of 28, but the majority were upset because of claims that the PUP drew the boundaries with victory in mind.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
on 14 December 1984. The result was a victory for the opposition United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Belize)
The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:...
, which won 21 of the 28 seats. Voter turnout was 75.0%.
Background
In its more than 30 years of existence the ruling People's United PartyPeople's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
had never lost an election at the national level, whilst the opposition had never won more than six seats (out of a possible eighteen in 1974). However, by 1984 the PUP were presiding over an economy in recession and that had just recently been bailed out by the IMF
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
. The party was internally fractured and faced a United Democratic Party that had made significant gains since losing the last general election in 1979.
Just a few months before elections, Prime Minister George Price
George Cadle Price
George Cadle Price PC was the first Prime Minister of Belize and is considered to have been one of the principal architects of the country's independence, and is today referred to by many as "the Father of the Nation"....
ordered a redistricting
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries, often in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial census. In 36 states, the state legislature has primary responsibility for creating a redistricting plan, in many cases subject to...
of electoral boundaries. This created ten new constituencies for a total of 28, but the majority were upset because of claims that the PUP drew the boundaries with victory in mind.
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Democratic Party United Democratic Party (Belize) The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:... |
25,756 | 54.1 | 21 | |
| People's United Party People's United Party The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca.... |
20,961 | 44.0 | 7 | |
| Christian Democratic Party | 708 | 1.5 | 0 | New |
| Independents | 213 | 0.5 | 0 | New |
| Invalid/blank votes | 673 | |||
| Total | 48,311 | 100 | 28 | +10 |
| Source: Nohlen | ||||