Chamber:
	House of Representatives
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	4 September 1989
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in the House of Representatives. General elections had previously taken place in December 1984.
Background and outcome of elections:
	As in the past, primary contenders in the 1989 elections were the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP), led by incumbent Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel, and the People’s United Party (PUP), headed by former Prime Minister George Price. During the electoral campaign, the labour-oriented PUP criticized conservative UDP’s free-market economic policies and the growing involvement of foreign interests in Belize’s economy. It also advocated a more liberal broadcasting policy. Polling results gave the PUP a surprising victory (15 House seats to UDP’s 13), thus returning it to power after five years in opposition. Mr. Price once again became head of the Government and promised a mixed (State planning and liberalism) economic system. His 14-member Cabinet was sworn in on 8 September.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (4 September 1989): Elections results
Number of registered electors	82,556
Voters	59,954 (72.62%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	1,003
Valid votes	58,951

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Candidates	Votes	%
People’s United Party (PUP)	28	29,986	50.02
United Democratic Party (UDP)	28	28,900	48.20

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
People’s United Party (PUP)	15*	+8
United Democratic Party (UDP)	13	-8

Comments:
	Excluding the Speaker. * On 8 September 1989, one UDP member joined the PUP instead, increasing its parliamentary representation to 16 seats.

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	28
Women:	1

Distribution of seats according to age:
30-40 years	9
41-50 years	9
51-60 years	8
61 and over	3
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Businessmen	9
Teachers	5
Lawyers	4
Politicians	4
Farmers	2
Others	5