Belize

House of Representatives Senate

House of Representatives

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
No
»

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.

Background

Election date(s)
11 Nov 2020
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
06 Oct 2020
Timing of election
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections
30 Nov 2025
Number of seats at stake
31
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
4
Total number of candidates
88
Number of male candidates
75
Number of female candidates
13
Percentage of women candidates
14.8%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
182,815
Voters
149,650
Voter turnout
81.9%

Results

About the election

The People's United Party (PUP), led by former Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Briceño, defeated the United Democratic Party (UDP). The UDP had governed the country since 2008 under Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who had announced his retirement from politics before the election. After the election results had been announced, the UDP’s new leader Patrick Faber conceded defeat. On 12 November, the Governor General H.E. Sir Colville Young swore in Mr. Briceño as the new Prime Minister.

On 11 December, the new National Assembly (parliament) held its first session. Ms. Valerie Woods became the new Speaker of the House of Representatives and Ms. Carolyn Trench Sandiford became the Senate President (see note).

The 2020 elections were held amid an economic shock The country’s tourism-driven economy has been hit hard by worldwide travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note:

Speaker Woods was designated from outside the House of Representatives and has become a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of Speaker. The new House of Representatives thus comprises 32 members in all: the Speaker and 31 directly elected members, of whom four are women.

Senate President Sandiford was designated from outside the Senate and has become a member by virtue of holding the office of President. The new Senate thus comprises 14 senators in all: the President and 13 appointed senators, of whom four are women.

Number of parties winning seats
2
Percentage of parties winning seats
50.0%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
83.9%
Alternation of power after elections
Yes
Number of parties in government
1
Names of parties in government
People's United Party (PUP)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
People's United Party (PUP) 26
United Democratic Party (UDP) 5
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
28
Number of women elected
3
Percentage of women elected
9.7%
Women Directly Elected
3
Women in other categories
1
Sources

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
28
Total number of women after the election
4
Percentage of women after the election
12.5%
First-term parliamentarians
No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
No information available
Date of the first session
11 Dec 2020

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Valerie Woods (Female)
Date of birth: 12 Nov 1973
Date of election
11 Dec 2020

Historical data for IPU membership

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Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No