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Belize
Exclusion Based
on Mental Disability
Constitution:
(updated September 1990)
Article 58, section (1) disqualifies from membership in the House
of Representatives any person who "
(c) is a person certified
to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law."
Article 63, section (1) disqualifies from appointments as Senators
any person who "
(f) is a person certified to be insane or otherwise
adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law."
Electoral Law:
(1990: Representation of the People Act)
Article 7 states that "a person shall be disqualified to be
registered or being registered to vote at an election
if such person
(d)
is certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind
or is a patient in any establishment maintained wholly or mainly for reception
and treatment of persons suffering from mental illness or mental defectiveness
by virtue of or under any law in force in Belize
"
Voter Assistance
by Other Citizens
Electoral Law:
(1990: Representation of the People Act)
Article 26 states: "If any voter is incapacitated by blindness
or other physical cause from voting in the manner prescribed by these
rules, the presiding officer shall, at the request of that voter, in the
presence of the agents (if any) of the candidates, cause his vote to be
marked on a ballot paper in the manner directed by the presiding officer,
and the ballot paper so marked to be placed in the ballot box, and the
name and number on the proper register of voters of every voter whose
vote is so marked for him and the reason why it is so marked shall be
entered on a list which shall be kept by the presiding officer."
Indelible Ink Excusal
Electoral Law:
(1990: Representation of the People Act)
Under Article 21, section (7), procedure of marking finger with
indelible ink is discussed. "If a voter has no forefinger on his
right hand or if for any other reason it is
not practical to mark
such forefinger such other finger as the presiding officer shall direct
shall be marked in the manner prescribed or if
it is not practical
to mark any finger of a voter, such voter shall be marked with indelible
ink in such way as the presiding officer may deem fit."
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