P.U.P. Routs U.D.P. in Municipals: 8 to 1

The People’s United Party remains on top after steamrolling all political opponents, including the United Democratic Party which it soundly defeated during the municipal elections on Wednesday. Tonight, we’ll begin with a recap of what transpired across the country on election day and how the blue machine overwhelmed the U.D.P. across all cities and towns with the exception of San Ignacio/Santa Elena.  We’ll also show you what the Opposition Leader says following the stunning loss at the polls.  Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano to begin our post election coverage.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The opposition, as well as all third parties and independent candidates, was walloped at the polls on Wednesday by the People’s United Party.  In hindsight, this bold prediction, initially made on Nomination Day by Party Leader Shyne Barrow, will likely go down in history as egg on his face.

 

Isani Cayetano

“What is your confidence on the ground, in terms of the municipal slates across all nine cities and towns.”

 

Shyne Barrow, Leader, United Democratic Party (File: February 21^st, 2024)

“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 municipality and no municipality was out of reach.”

 

Despite its best efforts, the United Democratic Party was trounced in Belize City, one of the most hotly contested municipalities in the country.  By the time the ballots were being counted, halfway through the process, the PUP had already claimed victory over the Old Capital.

 

Bernard Wagner, Returning Mayor, Belize City

“I always have to say thank you to the people of Belize City and I also have to thank God, he has been the person behind me.  I have to thank my family, I have to thank all the people of Belize City.  But clearly, some of the indicators, essentially, are really significant from some of the key polling areas, constituencies of Lake-I, Pickstock, Freetown, Caribbean Shores.  Clearly those numbers that we are seeing and are being forwarded to myself, we’re looking, pretty, pretty good.”

 

A total of four hundred and fifty-two thousand, seventy-three ballots were cast during yesterday’s elections in Belize City.  Of that amount, roughly sixty-three percent of votes were in favor of the ruling People’s United Party.  For the UDP, things got off to a slow start and ended in much the same way.

 

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

“If you notice, I think, thus far, when I checked, I think about three hundred and twenty of our pledges have cast their vote. Each standard bearer is responsible for their constituency and for bringing out the vote.  We collaborate with them, in terms of when people approach us, we pass it on to the standard bearers.  So each standard bearer has their machinery set up.”

 

It’s the same approach that was employed by the P.U.P. area representatives.  In Freetown, Francis Fonseca was able to secure seventy-six percent of the twenty thousand, eight hundred and five votes.  In contrast, the UDP only had four thousand, two hundred and seven votes, or roughly twenty percent of that total.

 

Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown

“So we have a very experienced team in Freetown and so we have a very clear plan.  So today has been all about executing that plan.  You know, we’ve been campaigning with the team with Mayor Wagner and the city council team over the past few months, since the start of the year, and the campaign has been very good.  They’ve been warmly received in Freetown, both in Belama and here in King’s Park.”

 

Taken as a whole, the turnout in Belize City, as in other municipalities, was lower than expected.

 

Alisha Craig, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“I wish it was higher.  I just checked the polls and they say it’s only about nine thousand out of thirty thousand.  So, you know, that’s not really good, but maybe it’s a good sign as well.  Like I said, that’s where the machinery, getting your taxis and everything in place to get out your voters.  I think that’s what’s going to decide who wins the elections.”

 

Dr. Nelma Mortis

“ I was a bit disappointed in the low voters turnout, but I walked in confidence and I walked in confidence because I have put in the work and I have shared my vision and it’s up to the workers to decide who or what they expect for Belize City.  And so, I did my best.  I’ll be Nelma Mortis tomorrow, the same Nelma Mortis tomorrow.”

 

On the other hand, despite a low voter turnout, Eluide Miller was optimistic and remained so for the duration of the voting process, as well as the counting later in the evening.

 

Eluide Miller, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“I’m feeling very excited seeing our residents flowing in to cast their votes.  It’s a really beautiful moment and so we’ve been working very hard over the past couple weeks, past couple months and so it all comes down to today.  Today is what matters most.  I am very excited and yeah, I’m happy.”

 

Ultimately, returning mayor Bernard Wagner has secured a third term in office, along with his team of ten councilors, five of whom are carrying over from the previous Belize City Council.

 

Isani Cayetano

“It’s rare that we see, if perhaps not the first time that we’re seeing someone go for three consecutive terms in municipal office.”

 

Bernard Wagner

“I am telling you it’s overwhelming for me, personally.  Really overwhelming.  When I started in 2018, I could never conceive in my own mind that at some point in time I would be grappling with the idea of being a three-term mayor.  But I believe in the will of the people and clearly the people in Belize City have spoken resoundingly again.  And so, we are really excited to be able to serve the people again.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.