Politics - Greater Belize Media

26 Municipal Candidates Nominated in P.G.

A total of one hundred and sixty-three candidates are vying for the sixty-seven seats that are up for grabs on March sixth for the municipal elections. According to an official report from the Elections and Boundaries Department, both the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party have full slates across all nine municipalities. The People’s Democratic Movement nominated eleven candidates in Belize City. Eleven independent candidates were nominated on Wednesday and the Belize Progressive Party nominated seven candidates in Punta Gorda. Last night, we brought you coverage of Nomination Day from six of the nine municipalities. Tonight, we continue our Nomination Day coverage, starting with Punta Gorda.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Punta Gorda is the southernmost municipality in the country. Notwithstanding its geographical location, on March sixth, residents of the town will get an opportunity to decide which of the twenty-six candidates nominated on Wednesday will lead the town council for the next three years. The People’s United Party is fielding seven candidates, led by Carlos “Obeah” Galvez.

Carlos “Obeah” Galvez, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, Punta Gorda

“This is a powerful moment, a wonderful feeling. This is the day where you officially become a candidate for your party. this is the moment the day and I am proud to put my name back on the ballot, thanks to the people of PG who came out from day one to support me. This is a proud moment to be a PUP. We have a great history, the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution. This party has a great history. I am proud to be associated, affiliated, and proud to be a member of the People’s United Party.”

The United Democratic Party also nominated seven candidates. UDP faithfuls gathered in front of the nomination station in Punta Gorda to show support for the team of candidates being led by Franklin “Kranka” Polonio.

Franklin “Kranka” Polonio, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Punta Gorda

“First of all I must say that it is a great feeling to see that we have past ministers in the person of Eden Martinez and Joseph Cayetano. We have past chairman also. So, of course we are very untied. The feeling we have is one of joy. We already know what time it is. After this we know it is time to continue going back to houses, listen to people’s cries, hear and continue to serve in whatever capacity we can.”

And, a part from the two major political parties in Punta Gorda, the Belize Progressive Party, a decade-old third party in the municipality, is once again fielding candidates. In spite of the party’s repeated failed attempts to succeed at the polls, on Wednesday, it nominated a municipal slate of seven candidates. Punta Gorda is the only municipality with BPP representation this time around. Their bid is being led by Anita Nicholas

Anita Nicholas, B.P.P. Mayoral Candidate, Punta Gorda

“I can say it is overwhelming. I am overjoyed. This is the day, the day that the lord has made. The day that PG will go down to the history that it always needed, someone with a vision, someone who is intuitive and innovative to make a difference for our town, our town has been underdeveloped for too long. And, it is time that our town gets the change it rightly deserves. That is the reason why I decided to offer myself as the candidate for the Belize Progressive Party in honor and memory of the late Bap Marcel Palma. We continue his legacy.”

Five independent candidates were also nominated on Wednesday in Punta Gorda. Among them is Orlando Muschamp. He contested the Toledo East seat in the 2020 general election as an independent candidate. Muschamp is optimistic that the results at the polls on March sixth will be more favorable for independent candidates.

Orlando Muschamp, Independent Candidate, Punta Gorda

“It is a great feeling out here and it has been a difficult task to bring along this team, this working team, a team hailing from an election, a contractor, a professional business woman, Antony Gabriel another electrician and myself another business owner. I have my own business and we we want to offer ourselves to our community and the voters of Punta Gorda an opportunity , an option so as for them to see yes we do have the love for this community.”

Reporter

“What is the feedback like from the people in the town?”

Orlando Muschamp

“The feedback is simple, they are tired of seeing the red and the blue coming with people who are not qualified to do the job. The come, get nominated and that is it. You never see them again, receiving a stipend without filling the spaces to accommodate the people, with the public service we so dearly deserve in this community.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

U.D.P. and P.U.P. Nominate Municipal Candidates Out West

In the March 2021 municipal elections, the United Democratic Party won only two of the sixty-seven municipal seats across the country. Those two seats were won in the twin towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio and included one mayoral seat and a councilor seat. The U.D.P.’s incumbent mayor, Earl Trapp is hoping to once again shift the tides back in favor of the U.D.P. out west. On Wednesday, Trapp was nominated along with a full slate of U.D.P. candidates. On March sixth, he will be going up against Matthew Preston, a sitting councilor in the twin towns.

The People’s United Party nominated Preston as its mayoral candidate, along with a full slate of P.U.P. councilor candidates. In Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town, P.U.P. incumbent Mayor Jorge Rosales is asking voters to support his bid for another term in office. Rosales and his team of P.U.P. candidates were nominated on Wednesday in Benque. The U.D.P. nominated Marco Tesecum, a former Benque Viejo town councilor, as its mayoral candidate along with a roster of councilor candidates. As the weeks progress towards March sixth, we will continue to follow what is taking place in each municipality.

San Pedro Nominates Candidates for March 6th

In San Pedro Town, the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party have nominated seven candidates each for the March sixth municipal elections. Incumbent P.U.P. Mayor, Gualberto Nunez, is seeking reelection. The mayoral candidate for the U.D.P. is career teacher Wilfredo Alamilla. An independent candidate also threw his name in the race on Wednesday. Abner Bacab is an Emergency Medical Technician at Island Emergency Services. Here is more from nomination day in San Pedro.

Gualberto “Wally” Nunez, Incumbent Mayor, San Pedro Town

“We are feeling victory. We are feeling victory already out here. WE are thankful to San Pedro for all the support, thank you very much.”

Wilfredo Alamilla, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, San Pedro Town

“I thank you with all my heart. It has always been a dream of mine to work for my community and give you all my love. And so here I am, officially nominated and ready to work for all of you. May God bless you and thank you very much.”

Abner Bacab, Independent Candidate, San Pedro Town

“I am feeling very happy. I am happy I was able to be nominated as a mayoral candidate for the upcoming elections for the San Pedro Town Council. I think it is everybody’s right to vote so I would encourage everyone to come out and vote for the person you think is going to do better for San Pedro, our community. Somebody that has proven to be somebody that works for our community. If you want to run for a position here in the San Pedro Town Council you need to be somebody that has done many achievements here in our island. For example, myself has brought an ambulance service to San Pedro, fully equipped with no kind of help from anyone. It is personal money, personal funding. I became the first emergency medical technician here in San Pedro.”

P.U.P. Draws Massive Support on Nomination Day

Across the country today, thousands of voters and supporters of the various political organizations paraded through the streets of their cities and towns to usher they candidates of choice to be nominated. In Belize City, Belmopan, and Orange Walk, much like in San Pedro and other parts of the Jewel, the spirit was festive, as motorcades and processions kept the mood energized. Tonight’s newscast is a look at the sight and sounds, as well as the campaigns leading up to March sixth.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Today is significant for politicians, seasoned and novice, because it marks the formal process of being selected as a candidate for a political party. It is also the first step in the election cycle where politicians are officially recognized and supported by their respective organizations to run for office.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor Candidate, P.U.P.

“Nomination Day is always an exciting time for the party machinery, being able to galvanize the number of people we saw out there this morning. Essentially, the horses are now at the gate and we have to dig in deeper as a team.”

It is crucial because it validates the eligibility and readiness for the slate to move advance to the municipal elections on March sixth. It also signals to voters and other politicians that these candidates are the official choice of the People’s United Party.

Kareem Musa, Area Rep, Caribbean Shores

“It’s an exciting time. I know that the people of Caribbean Shores are waiting for March sixth to deliver another victory for Mayor Bernard Wagner and his team and I think I speak not only for myself, but my predecessor, Santi Castillo, and it’s not often that you get two candidates, the predecessor and the current candidate endorsing a mayoral candidate like Mr. Wagner and so I think that speaks volumes of his integrity as a mayor and the hard work he has put in.”

Nomination Day is one for celebration and commitment, as it sets the stage for the approaching electoral contest. Today, the incumbent administration, led by Mayor Bernard Wagner, shored up the support of as many voters from across Belize City. It began with a procession from Independence Hall, the seat of the People’s United Party, and made its way to ITVET where all councilor candidates, as well as the two-time mayor, made their formal application.

Allan Pollard, Councilor Candidate, P.U.P.

“I’m feeling good, and I am amped up. With that crowd today and I was feeling the vibes of the residents of the city was a good way to get here. You know, I just feel blessed, in general, just to wake up and to have the opportunity to run on the slate again, this is my third municipal election so I’m pretty hyped, I’m pretty hyped.”

Isani Cayetano

“What’s different about this time around for you?”

Allan Pollard

“What’s different? For me, it’s like we have a lot of new candidates in it. I think now, for me when I was just coming in, it was sort of a newcomer type. So right now I feel a little bit of nostalgia and also being more senior to it. It’s just a different role now. So that’s kind of the contrast there.”

This is Bernard Wagner’s third bid for the highest seat at City Hall. Is he poised for another victory at the polls?

Bernard Wagner

“I never want to say that you are overconfident, you always want to maintain humility throughout the whole process and ensure that you do what you need to do as a team, as a party, as a machinery and let the other chips fall in place.”

Isani Cayetano

“With that said, how satisfied are you with the work that you’ve been able to accomplish in office over the past three years?”

Bernard Wagner

“I am so amazed at this team and the resiliency of this team. I always stress it, the perseverance and the tenacity of the team, the six years that I’ve been there. We have really faced some tremendous crisis.”

With those challenges, including the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic behind it, the People’s United Party is once again ready to lead the residents of the Old Capital into the next three years.

Allan Pollard

“I think the residents have received us well. They are excited for the election and of course they have seen the work that we have been doing over time. So, for them, they are excited to go to the polls just as we are.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

U.D.P. Shows Up and Shows Out on Nomination Day

The United Democratic Party also had its turn this afternoon and, like the People’s United Party that came before it, did not fail to disappoint. The procession began at its headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive and ended at the ITVET a short while later, but it was also energetic and festive. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with another report.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

This afternoon, the United Democratic Party also led a parade of supporters from the foot of the BelChina Bridge to Freetown Road, where its slate of candidates presented themselves for nomination. Notwithstanding the challenges that the U.D.P. has been facing internally, it was able to muster a throng of supporters to rival the numbers brought out by the People’s United Party earlier today. Leading the charge for his party its team of eleven was Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow.

Shyne Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P.

“I want the Belizean people to see, with all humility, this is my projection, nine, nine municipalities and it is not farfetched. There was a time where the United Democratic Party administered all nine municipalities and no municipality is out of reach because the cost of living, the neglect, as Dr. Mortis Jones mentioned, people just don’t feel the love. They feel abandoned, they feel neglected and maybe it was the over-promising, maybe it was the hardies and brodies that the People’s United Party sold, rather than be practical and give deliverables that they could actually meet.”

Dr. Nelma Mortis Jones is the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate. She is a first-time politician running under the red banner. She is optimistic about her chances of taking City Hall.

Dr. Nelma Mortis Jones, Mayoral Candidate, U.D.P.

“I was confident from I was in the field because of the expression and the sentiments of the people that I associated or made relationships on the ground.”

Reporter

“While you were campaigning, what were some of the criticisms or complaints you’ve been hearing?”

Nelma Mortis

“Basically, the issues are more of national issues and the people feel that the People’s United Party has no love for them. The relationship was not there and so that was one of the major complaints for them. The local issues were secondary and we can understand that, people’s basic needs come first.”

Of particular interest is the fact that the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate was endorsed by the sitting party leader, as well as his predecessor. For the most part, they haven’t seen eye-to-eye on a number of issues within the party.

Patrick Faber, Area Rep, Collet

“At the end of the day, we’re all UDPs and that’s what we have always maintained. I did not want to ever leave my party and so when the election gun is sounded I am here and we are going to do our best to bring victory for our party on March sixth.”

Isani Cayetano

“How practical, in your opinion, has the campaign been in terms of trying to muster the support of voters across the country?”

Patrick Faber

“Well I think there’s been a really wonderful exercise on the part of the UDP. Of course, there are many new candidates and, as I am in those areas and I’ve visited many of them over the last couple of weeks, it is a testing of their machinery, it is putting in place that machinery if it didn’t exist. And I feel that win or lose for the party overall, the UDP will leave on March sixth with a victory and that victory can well be translated into a further victory whenever the general elections are called because we would have had a stronger machinery as a result of going through these elections on March sixth.”

With the possibility of a U.D.P. victory in Belize City on March sixth, a new mayor and a new team of councilors would mean that they would have to work with a People’s United Party central government. Here’s how the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate responded to that question.

Nelma Mortis

“I am hoping to change that kind of politicking, in the sense that we’re supposed to move towards development. This is for all Belizeans and so I am hoping [that] if my opponents are still the central government and of course we’ll change them very soon, that they will see the relevance of my work and my leadership to serve the people of Belize and not to serve a UDP or a PUP person, but the people of Belize.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

P.D.M. Says Belizean Voters are Ready for Change

The People’s Democratic Movement, despite the controversy that it faced last week, also turned up for Nomination Day. Led by Estevan Perrera Senior, the P.D.M. arrived at the ITVET compound at midday and proceeded to sign up its slate of candidates who will contest the vacancy at City Hall. After officially entering his name in the political race, we caught up with mayoral candidate Perrera.

Estevan Perrera Sr., Mayoral Candidate, P.D.M.

“It feels good, it really feels good because I never thought that this day would have come and now that is has come, it even spurs me up more to fight for the people of Belize.”

Reporter

“You’ve been campaigning leading up to today, what’s the sentiment from the residents of Belize City as you campaigned?”

Estevan Perrera Sr.

“Well a lot of the sentiments from the Belizean people is that they are tired of the red and blue and it’s time that they leave them. And while we are in this movement right now it’s because and why we strongly believe that we will make it is because these people like in Gungulung and you got the other places like Ghost Town and you have Jungle, these are the places that I think the UDP and the PUP have really neglected because these people are living in some deplorable conditions and I think the government should take a walk behind there and see what’s happening. And I think it’s because of them that I really want to defeat the PUP and the UDP because they have to understand that they preach these things about everybody fi win and if they go behind there, it proves that not everybody wins, only a few groups win. So we are here for one thing, I want to stamp out corruption and that’s one of the main things I’m aiming at and also the wasteful spending of the taxpayers’ money.”

Kareem Musa, “This is a Litmus Test.”

For the past few months, quite a lot has been invested in the upcoming municipal elections. So much so that one would think that both parties are actually gearing up for general elections. The reality is that the big dance is only a year or so away and everything is being invested to secure a victory on either side. When we caught up with Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa, he shared his views on the upcoming municipals.

Isani Cayetano

“How is the People’s United Party looking at the municipal elections? It’s only a year between the next one.”

Kareem Musa, Area Rep, Caribbean Shores

“This, as you know, is the first big elections after the general elections and so there is that mobilization nationally, across the country. We are of course looking at this as a litmus test, so to speak, but definitely the energy is there across the country and you can feel the victory in the air. The spirit, the vibes, the love, everything is there and the people are saying they want the People’s United Party again.”

Reporter

“How many people were you able to mobilize from Caribbean Shores?”

Kareem Musa

“A hundred constituents.”

Reporter

“Were you putting in a huge effort? The numbers seem to be smaller than what we’ve seen before

Kareem Musa

“No, I think this is a robust showing by the People’s United Party this morning. I think other constituencies brought a larger crowd, but I was asked to bring out a hundred which I did. Quite easily.”

Citizen Security Remains Paramount During Election Season

What about citizen security during election season? It’s a question that we put to Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa earlier today. He referred to Belize’s history as a peaceful nation where free and fair elections are part of the democratic process.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“As you know, we have the privilege of living in a beautiful country where we have had free, fair, peaceful elections for decades and so we don‘t see any issue coming out of this one, but at the same time, of course, the police department has to be ready, has to be in full gear and we‘ve made sure of that. So we don‘t expect any issues because as a peace-loving people we don‘t fight over politics and that sort of thing.”

P.U.P. and U.D.P. Nominates Municipal Slates in Belmopan

In the Capital City, both major political parties are fielding candidates for March sixth. This morning, the People’s United Party’s candidates paraded through the streets of Belmopan on their way to be nominated inside the Belmopan Civic Center. The United Democratic Party candidates followed in the afternoon with a motorcade. News Five’s Paul Lopez was in Belmopan. Here is his report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The People’s United Party says it is on track to secure a second consecutive municipal victory in the City of Belmopan. And this morning, at approximately ten a.m. the party’s seven municipal candidates were officially nominated inside the Belmopan Civic Center.

Pablo Cawich, Belmopan Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P.
“We started campaigning last year June, that is when we started hitting the ground. The slate was already complete and that is when we started engaging the residents to get information as to what their concerns for the city were.”

Cawich and his team of candidates held a procession from Cemetery Road in Belmopan to the Civic Center. They were joined by at least a hundred supporters wearing the party’s “Stay Pan Track” t-shirts and waving the party colors.

Pablo Cawich
“A lot of the working class in Belmopan is not able to come out at this time. Likewise, they don’t truly show any political support when it is time that they can come out as well. It is one of the realities of Belmopan, that the crowd size will always be different than other municipalities.”

The United Democratic Party was scheduled to submit the names of their nominees at two p.m. Unlike the PUP’s procession, Mayoral Candidate Jacklyn Burns and her team of councilor candidates held a motorcade that began in front of the home of former UDP Area Representative John Saldivar.

Jacklyn Burns, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan
“He has been an active part of the campaign. I am happy to have him as our strategist for this campaign. His knowledge of political games are what contributes to our daily movements and so we are excited to be affiliated with him. The PUPs even recognize it with that super big billboard and we are happy to have him here.”

In 2021 the United Democratic Party lost the municipal election in Belmopan to PUP’s Sharon Palacio. That year the UDP was only able to garner thirty-two percent of the votes casted in the Capital City. Burns, a former Belmopan City councilor, was also the UDP’s Mayoral Candidate at the time.

Jacklyn Burns

“I am a teacher by profession and it is report card day on March sixth. Let’s see what the people has to say. That is all I have to say.”

Paul Lopez

The people did however speak resoundingly at the last election, so the question is, what in roads have the UDP made in Belmopan?

Jacklyn Burns
“A lot of people who study politics and study elections would tell you that there is a certain demographic of Belizeans who vote out instead of in and the type of service we have had from the blue politicians in Belmopan left a lot to be desired to say it nicely.”

John Saldivar was present to show his support to the Burns and her slate. They walked away from the Civic Center in a friendly embrace. He however decided to remain out of the limelight and declined requests for an interview. On the other hand, Oscar Mira, the P.U.P. Area Representative for Belmopan did not shy away from the cameras. He says his relationship with Cawich is well; something he could not say for the outgoing PUP Mayor.

Oscar Mira, P.U.P. Area Representative, Belmopan
“The relationship has been well. We have sat down and managed to look at what Belmopan needs, needs of the residents and voters and we can’t do it alone. It has to be a collaborative effort and working together with City Council and Area Representative, many things can be achieved. The previous council we had our difficulties, but that did not stop me from doing the work. If you notice, Belmopan had work from the time I got elected all the way up to now. We never stopped. So any work that is happening right now are scheduled world and not just because election. With Pablo Cawich as the Mayor of Belmopan I think our relationship is going to be stronger and better.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Sugar City Comes Alive on Nomination Day

Earlier today in Sugar City, the People’s United Party, as well as the United Democratic Part, also led throngs of supporters, along with their municipal candidates to the Sandy Hunter Library where two slates were officially nominated. Here’s correspondent Dalila Ical with that story from Orange Walk.