Belize Constitution Act 1981, as amended to 2022
Head of State
  • English
    There shall be a Governor-General of Belize who shall be a citizen of Belize appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty's pleasure and who shall be Her Majesty's representative in Belize. (Sec. 30)
Head of State
  • English
    (1) The executive authority of Belize is vested in Her Majesty.
    (2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive authority of Belize may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor-General either directly or through officers subordinate to him.
    ... (Sec. 36)
Government
  • English
    (1) There shall be a Prime Minister of Belize who shall be appointed by the Governor-General.
    (2) Whenever the Governor-General has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he shall appoint a member of the House of Representatives who is the leader of the political party which commands the support of the majority of the members of that House; and if no political party has an overall majority, he shall appoint a member of that House who appears to him likely to command the support of the majority of the members of that House:
    … (Sec. 37)
Government
  • English
    (1) There shall be, in addition to the office of Prime Minister, such other offices of Minister of the Government as may be established by the National Assembly or, subject to the provisions of any law enacted by the National Assembly, by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.
    (2) Appointments to the office of Minister shall be made by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, from among members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate:
    Provided that persons holding the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives or President of the Senate may not be appointed to the office of Minister:
    Provided further that the Cabinet shall be comprised of -
    (a) not more than two-thirds of the elected Members of the party that obtains the majority seats in the House of Representatives following the holding of a general election; and
    (b) not more than four Senators:
    Provided further that, subject to section 42(3) of this Constitution, a national of Belize may be appointed as Attorney General whether or not that person is a member of either House of the National Assembly.
    … (Sec. 40)
Government
  • English
    (1) There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers for Belize which shall consist of the Prime Minister and the other Ministers:

    (2) The Cabinet shall be the principal executive instrument of policy with general direction and control of the Government and shall be collectively responsible to the National Assembly … (Sec. 44)
Legislature
  • English
    There shall be in and for Belize a Legislature which shall consist of a National Assembly comprising two Houses, that is to say, a House of Representatives and a Senate. (Sec. 55)
Legislature
  • English
    (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the House of Representatives shall consist of thirty-one members who shall be elected in the manner provided by law.
    … (Sec. 56)
Legislature
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of section 58 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Representatives if, and shall not be qualified to be so elected unless, he-
    (a) is a citizen of Belize of the age of eighteen years or upwards; and
    (b) has resided in Belize for a period of at least one year immediately before the date of his nomination for election. (Sec. 57)
Legislature
  • English
    (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Senate shall consist of thirteen members (in this Constitution referred to as “Senators”) who shall be appointed by the Governor-General in accordance with the provisions of this section.

    (4) Of the thirteen Senators-
    (a) six shall be appointed by the Governor-General acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister;
    (b) three shall be appointed by the Governor-General acting in accordance with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition;
    (c) one shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches;
    (d) one shall be appointed by the Governor-General acting in accordance with the advice of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Business Bureau; and
    (e) one shall be appointed by the Governor-General acting in accordance with the advice of the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee.
    (f) one shall be appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the non-governmental organisations.
    ... (Sec. 61)
Legislature
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of section 63 of this Constitution, a person shall be qualified to be appointed as a Senator if, and shall not be qualified to be so appointed unless, he-
    (a) is a citizen of Belize of the age of eighteen years or upwards; and
    (b) has resided in Belize for a period of at least one year immediately before the date of his appointment. (Sec. 62)
Legislature
  • English
    Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the National Assembly may make laws for the peace, order and good government of Belize. (Sec. 68)
Links to all sites last visited 1 November 2023
2

Part of Part II on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

3
Part II on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
4

Part II on Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.