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They've toured the country - received training in the elections process and the head, Frank Almaguer today told us that so far he is impressed with how things are run:

Ambassador Frank Almaguer - Head of OAS Observer Team To Belize
"We are, in the first place, very impressed with the quiet approach to managing an election that we've seen here in Belize. All of the information, in terms of the mechanics, they are all in place, or are getting in place. We know that the voting places are ready to be opened tomorrow morning, as we understand it. We will have - tomorrow - 22 OAS election observers, and those observers will hopefully manage to cover 100% of the voting places in the country. So, in the course of the day, we'll have a pretty good understanding of the process as it is taking place, and of course, we will remain in the various communities until the last vote is counted. We really appreciate the courtesy with which we have been received. There are always issues that come up as one begins to understand the process. One or another group will raise some concerns. Our job here is to observe, and in the end, to provide whatever observations or recommendations we may have, not only to the Belizean Authorities, but also to the OAS Permanent Council."

Jules Vasquez
"Is there anything specifically that observers are trained to look for in an election?"

Ambassador Frank Almaguer
"Well, obviously, as an organization, the member states are committed to the democratic process. Elections are a vital part of that process, and we expect - we assume - that elections are competitive - that is that they are 2 or more candidates - that they are open - that is that all the voters can vote - that they are fair - that it's an opportunity to votes to be counted objectively, and in end, for the process to lead to the formation of a government elected by the citizens."

After the election, the Observer team will submit its report to the OAS. If they observe any irregularities - their job is not to intervene but to include it in their report.

This is the first OAS observer team to monitor elections in Belize...