Universal adult suffrage: it's a hard won right but one that we take for granted in a country where democracy is firmly in place.

It might be hard for most of us to appreciate but 50 years ago today was the first time that all Belizeans were able to go to the polls and vote. The 50th or jubilee anniversary of Belize's universal adult suffrage was celebrated today. There was a party at the city center and 7NEWS was there.

The symbolic "run for democracy" ended this morning with much pomp and circumstance. A city center packed with school kids watched as these torches were passed to three of the men who started it all. 50 years ago George Flowers, Enrique Depaz, and George Price were there when Belize gained universal adult suffrage. For Price, the memory is vivid.

Rt. Hon. George Price, Former Prime Minister
"Well the people thanks to them for standing up and supporting us in our struggle for adult suffrage and we got it."

Keith Swift,
"Do you remember way back in the days when everyone couldn't vote?"

George Price,
"Oh yes I do remember. You had to have a job of $300 a year and owning property of $500 or more and very few had that in relation to the population. But it was small in those days, it was a big struggle.

And the end of that struggle is what Chief Elections Officer myrtle Palacio says the celebration is all about. 50 years ago to this day was the first election in which all Belizeans were allowed to vote.

Myrtle Palacio, Chief Elections Officer
"Fifty years ago on a day like today, the 28th of April 1954 there was a major election in Belize. It was the first election under universal adult suffrage, suffrage meaning the right to vote. Prior to this election in 1954, not every adult had the right to vote because they were restrictions that were mainly economic and that move disenfranchised people in a way - the rank and file, your normal person from picking their leader. The other thing about 1954, which is also exciting is that prior to 1954 there was a legislative council whose majority where not elected leaders. So after the election in 1954, 9 out of the 15 were elected by the people and therefore the legislative council had majority members voted in by the people."

Fifty years and dozens of elections later, adult suffrage is taken as a right and not really a privilege. But for the man who was there at the start it is much more.

Keith Swift,
"Do you think we take the right to vote for granted?"

George Price,
"I don't know, they will have to tell us that but I hope they realize that it is something sacred and they should preserve it."

And more than just reminding all about the sanctity of the ballot, this guardian of national symbols reminded schoolchildren also about the spirit of the anthem

[George Price leading audience in up tempo chant of Land of the Free]

And in case you are wondering, in that election held 50 years ago the first Belizeans elected under adult suffrage were George Price, Leigh Richardson, Phillip Goldson, and Herman Jex in the Belize District; Leon Chin in the Corozal District; George Flowers in Orange Walk; Enrique Depaz in Cayo; Charles Westby in Toledo; and Nathaniel Cacho in Stann Creek. All 9 were part of a coalition union formed. Interestingly is at that time the People's United Party was led by Leigh Richardson.