The Opposition UDP, led by attorney Dean Barrow and eager to recover from the disastrous 1998 campaign, declared themselves ready to battle.

Governor General Young officially issued the proclamation dissolving the House on February 4,[3] as requested by Mr. Musa.

Among the more hotly contested races was Pickstock, where Attorney General and Senator Godfrey Smith defeated Bobby Usher of the PUP old guard.

A number of other sitting members declared that they would not run again, including Jorge Espat in Freetown (relieved by Francis Fonseca) and Henry Canton in Stann Creek West (replaced by Rodwell Ferguson).

The PUP prepared a visually oriented campaign, stressing their accomplishments in office as the governing party and citing weak links in the UDP armor.

In May 2002, Pickstock standard bearer and musician Kenny Morgan was removed[4] (he would eventually be replaced by Diane Haylock).

[5] This was the first election for the We the People Reform Movement, which put up candidates in Corozal, Orange Walk and Belize District.

14 and 43 of 2003 respectively guaranteed voters the right to register up to February 10, 2003 in lieu of nomination day and allowed for more counting agents assigned to the general elections.

Nevertheless, The Guardian newspaper of March 16 saw an article written by then member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and editor Herbert Panton, which criticized the electoral process.

Great Belize Television (Channel 5) announced a partnership with RSV Media Center, headlined by LOVE FM, on January 13, 2003.

By 12:45 AM Thursday morning, the PUP had amassed the majority fifteen seats,[10] and by 1:10 AM could start celebrating as the CEO stamped the particulars.