Welcome to the official site of the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage.
The Coalition: Many Voices Join together to Effect Policy Change
Belize was informed via the local media that the entire country of Belize was parceled out into petroleum concession blocks. These petroleum blocks covered sensitive ecosystems areas including the offshore/coastal-marine area and terrestrial protected areas, demonstrating government’s intent to allow exploration to be conducted throughout the country with little regard for sensitive ecosystems and natural resources, especially in areas already placed under some protective status.
News
29,000 Plus Belizeans Say NO to Offshore Oil Exploration and Drilling – Press Release
Thursday, March 8, 2012 – - The People have spoken! Twenty-nine thousands two hundred and thirty-five (29,235) Belizeans voted in the People’s Referendum on offshore oil exploration and drilling yesterday, February 29. Of the the number of person who turned out to vote, 28,208(96%) persons said NO to offshore oil exploration and drilling and 799 (4%) persons said YES to offshore oil exploration and drilling. One hundred and forty-three (143) votes were spoilt votes and 25 ballots were noted as missing. The results of the People’s Referendum showed an overwhelming support for the Coalition’s position of a ban on oil exploration and drilling in Belize’s offshore.
Fifty-one (51) polling stations were opened countrywide. Voters were able to vote anywhere in Belize with either their voter’s identification card or any valid identification card (e.g. driver’s license, social security card or passport).
The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage is urging all political candidates to formally state their position on oil exploration and drilling in Belize’s offshore after this resounding support for a ban on offshore oil exploration and drilling. Furthermore, the Coalition calls on all candidates to commit to supporting a referendum on the issue of offshore oil exploration and drilling if it is brought before the House of Representatives and to support the uptake of the results by making it into law.
The People’s Referendum gave voice to the thousands of Belizeans who never got a chance to vote when the offshore referendum triggered under the Referendum Act was derailed on the basis of unverifiable signatures. The unverified signatures were largely based on inconsistencies between signatures on the record cards at the Election and Boundaries Office and the signatures on the petition forms.
The target for Wednesdays People’s Referendum was at least 10% of the registered voters and that target was exceeded with the over 29,000 persons who showed up and voted in the People’s Referendum. The Coalition will use the results of the People’s Referendum in its advocacy to achieve a ban on oil exploration and drilling in Belize’s offshore.
The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage thanks all Belizeans who came out to vote and volunteered their time and gave services or financial help.
Poll Results_ Petition Signatures
People\’s Referendum Voting Results
