NO! – To offshore drilling in Belize! That is the general consensus that you get when you go out to the polls at Central Park in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye to cast your vote on People’s Referendum Day! The polls officially opened countrywide at 6:00 a.m. today Wednesday February 29, 2012, in the first ever people powered People’s Referendum.
The polls will remain opened for fourteen hours, allowing Belizean registered voters to participate in history as they take advantage of the opportunity to vote whether they want offshore oil exploration and drilling. This is what the People’s Referendum is about!
Some 48 polling stations, two of them mobile – one in Toledo and the other in the Belize District – will open from 6:00am to 8:00pm so Belizeans can record their choice on the question of dill or no drill in the nation’s seas.
Here in San Pedro the people have been coming out to cast their vote, all are welcomed to do so. All Belizean registered voters are asked to come out and cast their votes; those who are not registered are being asked to sign a petition against offshore drilling. Any visitor, student or non-registered voter can sign this petition.
It was great to see High School students and the students of Isla Bonita Elementary School present at the Polls today as they have been indoctrinated about the issue of Offshore drilling and all its pros and cons. Although they could not vote they were allowed to sign the petition against offshore drilling. Also present to cast their vote were the candidates for the upcoming municipal and general elections.
San Pedro High School students signing the petition against Offshore Exploration/Drilling in Belize
Isla Bonita Elementary School students signing the petition against Offshore Exploration/Drilling in Belize
This effort by the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage is as a result of monumental and unprecedented efforts to get Belize’s political leaders to engage the people of this country in what Belize’s direction in offshore oil should be. “The People’s Referendum is in response to government’s outright unwillingness to even discuss the issue, much less seek a legitimate mandate from the voting population”, explained Coalition Member Audrey Matura-Shepherd.
“Besides encouraging Belizeans’ participation by voting, we also ask that they pray for God’s blessings on this great endeavor in participatory democracy. We are greatly encouraged by the support we have received and want to thank all those who have contributed in cash or kind to the effort,” Matura-Shepherd added.
So come on out to the San Pedro Central Park and cast your vote polls are open till 8:00 p.m.!
Voters with queries can reach the Coalition at 227-2704 or 227-2705 or by emailing peoplereferedum@yahoo.com or ehernandez@oceana.org. Those still wishing to contribute financially can do so at Scotiabank Account #9138870 under the name The People’s Referendum.
Tourist signing the petition against Offshore Exploration and Drilling in Belize
