Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
f . Inherited monarchy with a Governor appointed by the Monarch
Comments: Belize is part of the Commowealth. As such, the Governor-General appointed by Her Majesty must be a citizen of Belize and shall be Her Majesty's Representative in Belize.
Source: Constitution: “Belize Constitution, Chapter 4”, Sections 30 & 36: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-constitution-2022/
Verified: 2025/03/24
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General. Whenever the Governor-General has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he shall appoint a member of the House of Representatives who is the leader of the political party which commands the support of the majority of the members of that House; and if no political party has an overall majority, he shall appoint a member of that House who appears to him likely to command the support of the majority of the members of that House.
Source: Constitution: “Belize Constitution, Chapter 4”, Section 37: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-constitution-2022/
Verified: 2025/03/24
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Belize is a parliamentary democracy, whose Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General.
Source: Constitution: “Belize Constitution, Chapter 4”, Section 30 & 36: aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-constitution-2022/
Verified: 2025/03/24
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: Belize’s National Assembly comprises two Houses: A House of Representatives and a Senate.
Source: Constitution: “Belize Constitution, Chapter 4”, Section 55: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-constitution-2022/
Verified: 2025/03/24
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: The House of Representatives is composed of 31 elected members elected in single-member constituencies.
Source: Constitution: “Belize Constitution, Chapter 4”, Section 56 (1), 89 (2): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-constitution-2022/ ;
Electoral Law: “Representation of the People Act, Chapter 9”, Section 17 (3): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-representation-of-the-people-act-2020/
Verified: 2025/03/24
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
