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If you know the rules of an election, then you'll know about the hundred yard line. That's the area closest to the polling station, which is supposed to be something like a safe area for voters – away from the signage and campaigning that smother the voter out on the street. But, in the recent bye-election in Cayo North when the UDP put on a full court press – the hundred yard area seems more like a suggestion than a rule. Will the same thing happen for the upcoming municipal elections? Yesterday the chief elections officer told the political parties and the media that it must be observed – but the political parties who complain about the infractions are the same ones who break the rules:…

Josephine Tamai - Chief Elections Officer

"What we find in past elections is that, for some reason, the political parties don't adhere to the 100 yards line when election day comes around. What I have asked them to do because the process can only be as good as they help us to make it be. We have to ensure that persons are not allowed within the 100 yards line, not allowed to campaign within that 100 yards line. Candidates are allowed to be in the 100 yards line but they are not allowed to try and influence the voter in any way in that 100 yards line. Again it can only work based on the political parties, the candidates as well. So they are the ones who have to work with us when it comes to this because we have already informed them and the police has already made it known to them that if for any reason, they do not adhere, then the returning officer will need to ask them to please remove who ever is within that 100 yards line doing any campaigning."

She gave that interview yesterday at a meeting with senior party representatives IN BELIZE City; returning officers will have similar meetings with parties in each municipality.