PUP’s Sunday Showdown: Miller or Pollard?
The People’s United Party (PUP) heads into its Belize City convention this Sunday with Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller and Councillor Allan Pollard competing for the mayoral nomination ahead of next year’s municipal elections.
The convention will see 787 delegates vote on the mayoral candidate, while 19 candidates compete for 10 spots on the councillor slate.
For Pollard, a three-term city councillor and former deputy mayor, the campaign has centred on his connection to residents and his roots in the city. “A lot of people are familiar with my journey,” Pollard said, mentioning the challenges, setbacks and advances he has experienced throughout his political career.
He also believes his accessibility and continued involvement in the community give him an advantage heading into Sunday’s convention. “I’m from the city. I’m from South Side Belize City. I’m always engaged in the community,” Pollard said. “So for me it’s really just building on the relationships that we have already made in the past, and of course making sure that people vote at the end of the day.”
Miller has formed his campaign around his experience at City Hall and his progression through the council. He joined as an intern in 2019, later became an employee and was elected as a councillor in 2024 before becoming deputy mayor. “I think my journey through the city council is a quite unique one,” Miller said, describing it as one of “constant growth and elevation.”
He says that experience has given him an understanding of the council from the ground up, including the opportunities and challenges at each level.
With the candidates making their final push, the PUP Secretariat is preparing to oversee Sunday’s convention. A team from Belmopan will conduct the election, headed by presiding officer John Bernard Wade and supported by other senior party officials experienced in running conventions.
Pollard said whoever is selected will have his full support, while Miller says the outcome should not make the contest personal.
“Absolutely nothing in politics should be personal,” Miller said. “And so whoever it is that comes out of the convention, I will work along with them. I will work side by side with them to ensure that the PUP slate is successful come March of next year.”
News Five will be covering the event and will be providing updates on our social media pages.