February 26, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

EBC Says Red to All 41 Candidates Under UDP Banner

The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) has decided that the United Democratic Party (UDP) will be allocated the traditional red colour to all 41 candidates nominated on Monday under the UDP banner. This is despite the internal divisions and leadership disputes that have been unfolding for months within the opposition party.

In its announcement, the EBC provided three options to consider: assigning red to all candidates, assigning it to only the 25 listed by Shyne Barrow, or to only the 15 nominated by Tracy Panton.

According to the EBC, after a 4-1 vote, it opted for the first choice—assigning red to all candidates under the UDP name. “By a majority vote of 4-1, the EBC voted on option 1, which is to allocate the traditional UDP red to all 41 candidates applying under the UDP banner,” it said.

On Tuesday, before the EBC issued its decision, Moses “Shyne” Barrow wrote to the EBC insisting that only his candidates should be assigned red on the ballot. He warned that if the EBC does not make the right decision, he will take legal action.

Barrow stated, “We are waiting for the official decision of the commission, and then we will proceed with civil action if the decision is not fit. The Election and Boundaries has no right to recognise anybody who claims to be a UDP when we have sent them an official list of who the UDP are when all that will do is cause confusion in the constituencies where we have competing claims.”

90 Nominated Candidates to Be Seen on General Election Ballot

This has been updated with the Election and Boundaries Commission’s latest press release.

This has been updated with the Elections and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC) latest press release

Nomination took place on Monday, and hundreds of Belizeans rallied with their political party’s colour on their sleeves. Nomination Day is a major part of the election process—it marks the official beginning of the lead-up to the March 12 general election.

Candidates from the major political parties, including the People’s United Party (PUP) and United Democratic Party (UDP), were out in full force. Third parties and independent candidates also joined the excitement, though some struggled to gather the six people needed for their nominations.

According to the Election and Boundaries Department (EBC), a total of 90 nominations were received, with 31 from the PUP and 41 from the UDP.

Fort George Area Representative Henry Charles Usher and Pickstock Area Representative Anthony Mahler were declared winners without contest after their opponents failed to show up for nomination.

Usher saw his challenger, Melvin Hewlett, absent from the event, while Mahler secured another term after his opponent, Dean Samuels, did not appear for his nomination. Both Hewlett and Samuels were contenders running for UDP under the leadership of Moses “Shyne” Barrow.

The EBC confirmed the results, stating, “The Returning Officers for the Pickstock and Fort George Electoral Divisions respectively declared Mr. Anthony Mahler and Mr. Henry Charles Usher to have been duly elected since, at 4:00 p.m. on nomination day.”

Dean Samuels Apologises for Withdrawal, Cites Financial and Health Concerns

Dean Samuels issued a public apology last night regarding his absence from the UDP nomination event on Nomination Day. He began by apologising to the United Democratic Party, its supporters, and key members, including Shyne Barrow and Tracy Panton. He also expressed regret to the constituents of the Port Loyola division and acknowledged that his decision deprived them of the opportunity to voice their discontent with the government.

Samuels was among four party members who failed to appear for nomination today. Three other UDP candidates—Dennis Williams (Toledo East), Melvin Hewlett (Fort George), and Norman Usher (Dangriga)—also failed to show up for nomination.

Samuels admitted that his last-minute decision was a difficult one, influenced by financial realities in politics. He noted that the candidate he was up against was one of the most financially powerful ministers in government, and the UDP leadership had agreed to allocate funds to constituencies with a stronger chance of victory. “In every sense of the word. You know, I met with them, and they explained that to them. They don’t believe it’s basically financially viable or even for them, or even for me to continue contesting for them to continue financing me in my bid under the current situation where we are as a party and the division.”

After consulting with his financial backers—friends, family, and supporters—he was told that continuing his campaign was not viable given the party’s current situation. This led to his withdrawal.