General elections were held in Belize

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 27 August 1998. The result was a victory for the 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....

, which won 26 of the 29 seats and Said Musa

Said Musa

Said Wilbert Musa is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Belize from August 28, 1998 to February 8, 2008.-Early life and education:Said Musa was born in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize...

 was elected as Prime Minister

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...

 for the first time. Voter turnout was 90.1%, the highest since independence.

Background

The ruling 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:...

 (UDP) was widely perceived as incompetent, incapable of governing and riddled with corruption

Political corruption

Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...

. Crime and unemployment rose while a number of government projects were universally panned. After winning nationwide municipal elections in 1994, they had lost two other municipal votes in 1996 and 1997. The PUP capitalized on the people's anger to present a manifesto of far-reaching proposals which they claimed would "Set Belize Free".

Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel advised Governor General Sir Colville Young to dissolve the House of Representatives on 13 July 1998. The House stood dissolved with effect from 15 July 1998.

Five political parties nominated 79 candidates for the elections on 11 August 1998, with three independents contesting.

Results

13

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/-
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....	50,330	59.67	26
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:...	33,237	39.41	3
People's Democratic Party People's Democratic Party (Belize) The People's Democratic Party was a minor political party in Belize. It contested the 1998 general elections, but received only 225 votes and failed to win a seat. It did not contest any subsequent elections....	225	0.27	0	New
National Alliance for Belizean Rights	174	0.21	0
National Reality Truth Creation Party National Reality Truth Creation Party The National Reality Truth Creation Party was a minor political party in Belize. It contested the 1998 general elections, but received just seven votes and failed to win a seat....	7	0.0	0	New
Independents	372	0.44	0	0
Invalid/blank votes	531
Total	84,876	100	29	0
Source: Nohlen