In January of 2012 there was a rush of people crowding the immigration office in Belmopan. And that’s because it was the lead-up to a general election, and in a game of ruthless electioneering, UDP politicians, especially those from the Cayo District were in an unseemly rush to naturalize new voters, and get them unto the voters’ list in time for the General Election in March. 

We covered the story at the time, where the office was over-run with new applicants and political operators greasing government wheels to get their voters regularized at all costs. 

Even to the casual observer, it was an unseemly affair, and tonight we know that mass acts of fraud were perpetuated during that period leading to fraudulent citizens and voters.  That’s what came out of the Senate hearings today in Belmopan where former Director Ruth Meighan, who presided over that period conceded that in the haste, many corners were cut, which resulted in compromised Belizean nationality documents:…

Hon. Eamon Courtenay - PUP Senator
"You were director in 2012."

Ruth Meighan - Former Director of Immigration
"Yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"You were aware that there was an election in 2012."

Ruth Meighan
"Yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"General Election."

Ruth Meighan
"Yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"Are you aware that there was a unusual amount of persons who got nationality before that general elections?"

Ruth Meighan
"Yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"Are you aware that Minister were heavily involved in speeding up the processing of nationality for many individuals in the run up to that election?"

Ruth Meighan
"I am aware that the Ministers were trying to get people processed for nationality during that period."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"On an expedited basis."

Ruth Meighan
"Well, the Department did process a lot of applications that would have maybe taken a little bit longer, during that period."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"So, the answer is yes, on an expedited basis."

Ruth Meighan
"Yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"And you're aware that the purpose for that was in order for these people to be registered to vote."

Ruth Meighan
"I believe that was the reason why."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"And you were the director at the time."

Ruth Meighan
"I was director at the time."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"Are you aware that quite a number of those persons who got nationality, their files were incomplete?"

Ruth Meighan
"That's what I noted from the report, yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"Those persons, who's files were not complete, did not qualify at that time to get Belizean nationality."

Ruth Meighan
"Those persons did not qualify, but the file that was presented, and I could clearly remember my minister and telling me - because we were concerned that the process that the files, they were requesting a lot of files. And we said that we have to ensure that all the applicants meet the requirement for nationality. And that was clearly stated throughout the department, and so, any files that came to us for approval, they were presented as qualified applicant."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
'"You now know, Miss Meighan, that many of them were fraudulently prepared."

Ruth Meighan
"Yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"They did not qualify for nationality."

Ruth Meighan
"Yes, according the -"

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"And obviously did not qualify to be registered to vote."

Ruth Meighan
"Yes."

Hon. Eamon Courtenay
"No further questions, thank you."