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I take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude to the following persons who facilitated our training workshop:
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The Elections and Boundaries Department is committed to the enhancement of democracy through the promotion of voter education and the maintenance of a legitimate, impartial, valid electoral process. |
EBD Holds 6th Annual Voter Appreciation Day on May 12, 2004
In conjunction with its Voter Education Campaign, which was launched in November 1999, the Elections and Boundaries Department hosted its 6th Annual Voter Appreciation Day, on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 under the theme Voter Education - Bridging the Gap in the Democratic Process.
All twelve District Offices countrywide entertained students, scholars, stakeholders and the general public with information on election administration and the voting process.
Displays were mounted at the Central Office in Belize City and at the Orange Walk Registration Office, by the Elections and Boundaries Department in collaboration with the Belize Archives Department. The exhibition included information on the registration process, historical information on voting in Belize, and women who have participated in Belize's politics.
The Elections and Boundaries Department continues to live its mission of commitment to the enhancement of democracy through the promotion of voter education and the maintenance of a legitimate, impartial, valid electoral process.
Excerpt of speech on the Elections and Boundaries Department's Voter Education and Community Outreach Initiatives, delivered by Mrs. Sharole Saldivar, Ag. Assistant Chief Elections Officer, on 5 February 2004 at the launching of the booklet: A Framework For Voter Education, written by Mrs. Myrtle Palacio, Chief Elections Officer.
Voters' Appreciation Day
Reprinted from Multi-Media Newspaper, Orange Walk Town
May 16th, 2004
Earlier today, Wednesday 12 May the Elections and Boundaries Department set up their display to educate the public on voting and its procedures. This annual tradition kicked off at 9:00 a.m., when Louisiana School students began to arrive. Mrs. Eneida Vargas and Ms. Pearl Lizama were among the officers explaining the Department's purpose and goals. In accordance with their theme: "Voter Education; bridging the gap in the Democratic Process," the department was educating the young students on the voting process, registration requirements and the importance of the vote.
Part of the day's program was achieved by distributing pamphlets and booklets. For the younger children, they also had balloons depicting the theme. The department was also conducting an essay contest among high school students to be judged today. According to a spokesperson for the department, all the local schools were invited in order to receive their share of voting education.
The highlights of the display included a poster of the first Belizean Cabinet. This was provided by the Archives department and is something that few Belizeans have seen. Also included are posters of the history of our political arena, including clippings of newspaper where adult suffrage, political movements and impressionable leaders were profiled.
Part of the history displayed was information on the first national elections, held on April 28, 1954. Also displayed were clippings about our adult suffrage. Adult Suffrage meant that "working class persons, the rank and file, were able to vote for the first time." Some leaders elected under Adult Suffrage included among others, George Price, Phillip Goldson and Orange Walk's George Flowers.
Something that struck many people's interest was the display of women in politics. Women have long been underestimated and have kept merely as moral supporters or campaigners. Some prolific women in Belizean history are Gwendolyn Lizarraga (former Minister of Education), Faith Babb (Minister of Women's Affairs), and Mirna Manzanarez (political candidate) to name a few.
This morning's events proved that the Department recognizes the importance of education. Indeed, educating the public about voting and elections prepares the public, especially our upcoming generation, to make conscious decisions. The education of the public on subjects like these allows them to make better decisions regarding our future leaders. This morning's events further proves that we live in a beautiful jewel where democracy presides, and where the people have a high level of freedom.
We had defeated Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala. El Salvador had lost their first game against Guatemala so they were tied with us.
That night the players of El Salvador came into our room to talk with us. We were familiar with most of them from the first Central American National Female Softball Championship that was held in Belize three years ago. They tried to negotiate with us that we should defeat Guatemala and then they will defeat us making them the gold medallists and us the second runner up. "What a joke!" I exclaimed to them. We didn't plan on settling for nothing less than first place.
We played at least two games each day. On May 2nd we were set to play three games against Nicaragua, and finally, El Salvador. We won our first two games and were in the middle of the third. In the fifth inning our confidence began slipping away as we were down by two runs and the umpires were being bias. I tried to comfort my teammates and reassured them that we were going to win regardless of the calls that the umpires were making.
It began raining in the 6th inning. We had tied the game 7-7. We had one inning remaining to play. Our plan was to play strong defense and not allow El Salvador to score any more runs. We executed that and then it was time for part two of our plan - to score. The rain did not stop the game. It was our turn to bat.
A pitch hit our first batter and this gave our lead off runner on base. Our second batter was walked and the third got a hit. We had bases loaded with no out. Our fourth batter went to the plate and after fouling off numerous balls she hit a line drive to the third base defender but none of our runners moved. We didn't give El Salvador the opportunity to make a double play.
Our fifth batter went to the plate and the first ball pitched to her was a wild pitch that got away from EL Salvador's catcher and caused our lead runner, Mrs. Delcie Lizama, to score the winning run.
The entire delegation ran out on the filed. Tears of joy could be seen running down our faces as our dream to be gold medallists of the competition came through. We ran around the field with our National Flag and screamed and shouted, "Belize is number one". Words could not describe our feelings that day but our emotions and tears did. The players of El Salvador finally agreed with me by saying, "Belice es numero uno." And we surely are as we are the gold medallists of the third Central American National Female Softball Championship.
After the interviews we ordered pizza and champagne to celebrate our victory while we
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