The Belize election results show overwhelming support for the governing party, which maintains its 26-seat majority while the opposition struggles with internal rivalries.
The votes are in from yesterday’s election in Belize, and, as expected, the People’s United Party (PUP) has secured another landslide, taking 26 of the 31 seats in the House of Representatives. The United Democratic Party (UDP) limped away with just 5 seats, split between its rival factions, and delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises. Here’s what happened, who’s coming out ahead, and what it means moving forward.
Belize election results:
31/31 seats declared
PUP (centre): 26
UDP-Tracy (centre-right): 3
UDP-Shyne (centre-right): 2PUP wins another landslide, UDP Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow loses his seat, and UDP’s Tracy Panton is set to be the first female Opposition Leader#Веlіzе pic.twitter.com/wjhs5UJDRZ
— America Elects (@AmericaElige) March 13, 2025
PUP Holds Strong
Led by Prime Minister John Briceño, the PUP won 26 seats – matching their 2020 haul – and kept their hold on power. Briceño himself won about 75% of the vote in his division of Orange Walk Central, earning his eighth term as area representative.
Speaking to supporters last night, he called the result “a resounding affirmation” of Belize’s democracy and shared plans for “Plan Belize 2.0”—more jobs, better education and healthcare, affordable housing, tougher action on crime, and help with rising costs. “I’m elated and humbled,” he said. “Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow the work begins.”
UDP’s Tough Night
The UDP’s internal drama played out in the results. Like 2020, they managed to win only five seats, with Tracy Panton’s faction grabbing three and Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s taking two. The stunner came in the Belize City division of Mesopotamia, where Shyne, the party leader since 2022, lost his seat to Lee Mark Chang, a UDP rival from Panton’s side. Chang got 601 votes to Shyne’s 318, with PUP’s Lawrence Ellis at 503—1,422 of 2,253 registered voters turned out.
In conceding, Shyne said, “The people have spoken. Congratulations to Lee Mark Chang—I wish him well.” He’ll step down as leader once the UDP holds a convention to pick a replacement, saying, “You can’t lead if you’re not in the House.” Chang’s win marks history as the first Belizean-Chinese representative, but it’s also a clear sign voters rejected Shyne’s leadership.
Panton’s three seats, including her own in the Belize City division of Albert, set her up as Belize’s first female Opposition Leader. Her faction outperformed Shyne’s, giving her a foothold to steer the UDP’s battered remains.
Election Day Basics
Of the 204,000 registered voters, about 65% showed up, according to the Elections and Boundaries Department. That’s a big drop from 2020’s record 81% turnout, and some blame the UDP’s mess. “This isn’t really a win, look at the voter turnout, both parties are being sent a signal,” one Facebook user posted.
With no UDP candidates in some divisions, plus a split slate elsewhere, turnout took a hit compared to 2020’s full contest. “The story of this election is not low voter turnout… The Belize electoral democracy anchors on two main political parties… We also had constituencies where the major political party opposition fueled no candidates… This resulted in UDP voters staying home with no-one to vote for in their view. These anomalies impacted turnout. So the normal voter turnout discussion can’t be had,” said another voter on Facebook.
Elsewhere, Police Commissioner Chester Williams ensured a peaceful day, boosting security in Belize City after a rough holiday weekend. “It’s going to be safe to vote,” he told reporters Monday, and it was, with no major issues reported. “I am proud to say that Democracy is alive, and well in Belize,” posted a voter. “Yesterday we had a free, and fair election. There was no violence. Unlike the great United States where there is bitter hate amongst rivals. Thank God Belize is not like that. We wear red, and blue, but for most part we are civil to one another.”
Prime Minister-elect John Briceño to be sworn in this afternoon in Belize Cityhttps://t.co/FuZWfvHMUx
— Breaking Belize News (@belizemedia) March 13, 2025
What It Adds Up To
The PUP’s 26 seats and the UDP’s five mirror the 2020 results. No ground lost or gained, just a reshuffle. Briceño’s in charge, backed primarily by poverty dropping since the pandemic. Crime and corruption remain big hurdles for him in the next five years.
The UDP’s also got work to do. Shyne’s out, Panton’s in, but five seats leave them struggling, and they’ll need to get their act together to form a strong opposition. Taiwan also sent congratulations, with Ambassador Hsu Li-wen praising the “peaceful and smooth” process. This is notable as Belize and Guatemala the only two countries left in the region that still recognize Taiwan, while others have bowed to China’s pressure. Briceño would love their support for housing and business growth going forward.
And that’s the bottom line, really. Belize keeps moving – same challenges, a few new players. Panton’s rise and Shyne’s fall shake up the opposition, while Briceño’s got five more years to deliver what he says he’ll deliver.
