On Wednesday, thousands of Belizeans will head to the polls to cast their votes. With 90 candidates competing for 31 seats, the results will shape the country’s leadership for the next five years.
If you’re a first-time voter, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll guide you through the voting process, detailing what you should and shouldn’t do at the polls. With the assistance of Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, we’ll take you step by step from the proper way to dip your finger in indelible ink to the consequences of taking a picture of your ballot.
Voter Registration and Identification
More than 204,000 people are eligible to vote on March 12th, but eligibility depends on registration before the January 10th, 2025 cutoff date. If you did not register before that date, you are not eligible to vote in this election.
If you haven’t collected your voter identification card yet, it’s crucial to visit your local registration office and pick it up before Election Day. While having your ID card will speed up the voting process, you can still vote without it.
To find your assigned polling station, visit the Elections and Boundaries Department website and use the “Voter Lookup” feature. By entering your name and date of birth, you can confirm your polling location from a list of stations spread across the country.
What to Expect at the Polling Station
Polls open at 7:00 a.m. sharp and close at 6:00 p.m. It’s advised to arrive early to avoid long lines. As long as you are in line by 6:00 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
When you arrive, look for your polling station based on your surname, as they are organised alphabetically. Election officers will be on hand to guide you if needed. Your name will be called out by a poll clerk, and once verified, you will be asked to dip your right index finger into the indelible ink—up to the first joint. This step helps ensure that no one votes more than once.
Once your finger is inked, the presiding officer will initial your ballot paper before handing it to you. Go to the voting booth, use the provided pencil to mark your “X” beside your chosen candidate, fold the ballot to keep your vote secret while showing the presiding officer’s signature, and place it in the ballot box.
Mistakes and Rejected Ballots
If you make a mistake on your ballot, don’t panic. You can inform the presiding officer without disclosing your vote. Your spoilt ballot will be cancelled and retained, and you will be given a new one to mark correctly.
However, there are several ways your ballot can be rejected. These include:
Marking the ballot for more candidates than the number of available seats.
Failing to mark your ballot at all.
Writing your name or any identifying marks on the ballot.
Using a ballot without the presiding officer’s initials.
Rejected ballots are not counted, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure your vote is valid.
Taking Photos and Legal Consequences
In today’s social media-driven world, it may be tempting to snap a photo of your ballot as proof of voting or to show support for a candidate. However, taking pictures of your ballot is strictly prohibited and considered a criminal offence.
If caught photographing your ballot, law enforcement will confiscate your device, and you may face a fine of up to $500 or even jail time. Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai warns that your vote is private and must remain secret, so refrain from taking selfies or capturing any part of the voting process.
Each person can only be a proxy for one other registered voter, and proper forms must be completed to authorise a proxy. The Elections and Boundaries Department prepares proxy registers to maintain transparency and order on Election Day.
Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout
Channel 5 Belize is gearing up for comprehensive coverage of Belize’s general elections on March 12, 2025, with the theme “Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout.” The programming will offer pre-election features, voter perspectives, expert commentary, and live updates during Election Day. Viewers can expect in-depth analysis of key issues like the economy, governance, and national security, as well as real-time election results and post-election breakdowns. Channel 5 promises to deliver the most trusted and engaging election coverage. Join us on Facebook and YouTube. Coverage begins at 6 a.m.
Rafael Caseres was murdered on Sunday afternoon, shortly after midday, in the Arlington Drive area of Belize City. Caseres was found inside his home with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters this morning, “It is our belief that the shooting death of Caseres is a direct retaliation for the death of Mark Usher.”
Williams confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with Caseres’ murder and is expected to undergo an identification parade. He added, “It is our hope that he will be identified and will be charged for the murder of Caseres, hopefully by the end of the week.”
Williams said that following Usher’s murder, police “detained all the Caseres brothers but didn’t go for Rafael.” He said the reason why police did not go for him is because Rafael had not “been in the loop” and was being “a good law-abiding citizen” that was working.
Williams called Caseres’ death “painful for everybody; he was certainly living well, living with his family. Not bothering anybody, and when you venture to kill somebody innocent just because you couldn’t get the ones you want, that is troubling.”
Williams said that although the Caseres brothers were picked up after Usher’s murder, police arrested and charged Andre Arthurs, 27, for the murder of Usher. Arthurs was “an affiliate of the Caseres brothers,” Williams said.
Williams said that this weekend’s killing has activated police mobilisation to the area to bring justice to Rafael’s death.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that Mark Usher’s death is believed to be tied to escalating tensions between two rival groups in the Faber’s Road Extension area in Belize City.
During this morning’s police briefing, Williams said, “I do believe what we are seeing in the investigation is an issue between the two groups in the Faber’s area.” Williams added that these tensions had been a problem for some time, with both groups operating in the area. He added, “It is believed that his death is as a result of that issue between the two groups.”
On Saturday night, police responded to reports of gunfire in the area. “Upon responding, police found one Mark Usher, suffering from gunshot injuries,” Williams added.
Though Usher was rushed to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in critical condition, he later died from his injuries. Police have arrested and charged 27-year-old Andre Arthurs, a Belizean construction worker from the Belize District, in connection with Usher’s murder.
According to Williams, the police were already taking steps to address the escalating tensions. He also said that this has led to the individuals involved in the unrest to go “into hiding,” but that the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU) was notified and is also monitoring the rising tensions.
Five years after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, the world has largely moved on, but the virus has left an indelible mark on societies, economies, and public health systems. While Belize and the rest of the Caribbean have made significant strides in recovery, many lingering questions about the virus and its long-term effects remain unanswered.
December 12: A cluster of pneumonia cases with an unknown cause emerges in Wuhan, China.
December 31: WHO is informed of these cases, all linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market.
Early 2020:
January 1: The Huanan Seafood Market is closed.
January 7: Chinese officials identify a novel coronavirus as the outbreak’s cause.
January 11: China reports the first death from the virus.
January 13: Thailand confirms the first case outside China.
January 20: The U.S. reports its first case.
January 30: WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Mid-2020:
March 11: WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic.
March 19: CDC updates social distancing guidelines for schools, reducing the distance to 3 feet for elementary students with universal masking.
March 25: CDC announces $300 million in funding to address disparities in COVID-19 services and plans to provide vaccinations at dialysis clinics.
March 29: A CDC study finds mRNA vaccines 90% effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among essential workers.
March 31: CDC and NIH launch the “Say Yes! COVID Test” program, offering free at-home tests in select communities.
Late 2020:
December 14: The U.S. begins its vaccination campaign.
Early 2021:
March 29: CDC extends the eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021.
Late 2021:
December 27: CDC shortens isolation recommendations from 10 to 5 days for asymptomatic individuals, with an additional 5 days of masking.
Early 2022:
January 31: FDA grants full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for adults.
March 29: FDA authorises a second booster for adults 50 and older.
June 18: CDC recommends vaccines for children as young as 6 months.
Mid 2022:
August 31: FDA authorises updated booster shots targeting Omicron sublineages.
Mid-2023:
May 5: WHO declares COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency.
Mid-2024:
August 22: FDA authorises updated vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech.
What We Still Don’t Know
Despite years of research, scientists are still grappling with critical uncertainties about COVID-19. One major unknown is the full extent of long-term health complications. Long COVID—a condition where individuals continue to experience symptoms months or even years after infection—remains poorly understood. Belizean doctors report cases of patients suffering from persistent fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues, but there are no local statistics to gauge the true impact.
Questions remain about the virus’s evolution. While the Omicron variant and its sub-lineages have been dominant in recent years, the possibility of new, more severe mutations remains a concern.
On March 23, 2020, the Ministry of Health confirmed Belize’s first COVID-19 case—a 38-year-old Belizean woman from San Pedro who had recently travelled from Los Angeles, transiting through Texas. Authorities determined the case was travel-related and took immediate steps to prevent community spread, including contact tracing, dispatching health teams to San Pedro, and adjusting health services at the island’s polyclinic.
In Belize, the last reported COVID-19 statistics showed a total of 71,409 confirmed cases and 688 deaths.
While the immediate crisis has passed, COVID-19 continues to affect Belize in several ways:
The pandemic dealt a severe blow to Belize’s economy, particularly its tourism sector. In 2020, the country saw a 70% decline in tourist arrivals, leading to widespread job losses. While tourism has rebounded, businesses that shut down during the pandemic have not all reopened.
The government implemented relief measures, including unemployment benefits and business grants, but fiscal challenges persist. Inflation and the rising cost of goods—partly a consequence of global supply chain disruptions—continue to impact Belizean households.
The Social Security Board (SSB) continues to process COVID-19-related sickness benefits despite a decline in cases, according to former CEO Dr. Leroy Almendarz. He said that the board assesses all claims to ensure rightful payouts and noted a rise in claims for other serious conditions like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Almendarz also highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) defines illnesses based on prevalence and consistency rather than isolated cases.
COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in Belize’s healthcare infrastructure, from shortages of medical personnel to limited ICU capacity. While the system has improved, doctors and nurses who worked on the frontlines report burnout and ongoing staffing shortages. Additionally, non-COVID-related medical conditions saw delays in treatment, and many Belizeans are still catching up on critical healthcare needs.
Belize achieved significant vaccination coverage, but vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. Misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines continues to circulate, contributing to scepticism about booster shots and other immunisation programs.
Reggae icon Colvin ‘Cocoa Tea’ Scott has passed away at the age of 65. His wife, Malvia Scott, confirmed that he died early Tuesday morning at a hospital in Broward, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, following a cardiac arrest.
Cocoa Tea had been battling lymphoma since his diagnosis in 2019. In recent months, he also struggled with pneumonia. His wife recalled that despite his illness, he remained optimistic until the end.
Born in Rocky Point, Clarendon, on September 3, 1959, Cocoa Tea rose to fame in the mid-1980s with hits such as I Lost My Sonia and Sweet Sweet Cocoa Tea. His smooth yet powerful delivery made him a beloved figure in reggae, with classics like Israel’s King, Weh Dem A Go Do, Holy Mount Zion, and Rikers Island.
His influence extended beyond music. In 2008, he made headlines with Barack Obama, a song celebrating the then-U.S. presidential candidate. He also founded the Dancehall Jam Jam event, which ran from 2003 to 2009.
Cocoa Tea’s final performance was three years ago on the Welcome to Jamrock Cruise. In 2018, he famously introduced Koffee to the world by inviting her onstage at Rebel Salute.
He is survived by his wife, Malvia Scott, and their eight children.
King Charles marked Commonwealth Day with a message of unity, remembrance, and responsibility. He highlighted last October’s gathering of Commonwealth leaders in Samoa, where they reaffirmed the organisation as a space for diverse nations to come together in friendship and cooperation.
“In these uncertain times, it is all too easy to see differences as problems instead of strengths,” he said, emphasizing the Commonwealth’s role in fostering support and learning.
Looking ahead, he urged leaders to continue working for peace, human rights, and environmental protection. “There is no more important task than restoring harmony to our planet for future generations,” he stated.
On Wednesday, thousands of Belizeans will head to the polls and cast their vote. With 90 candidates vying for 31 seats, the outcome of those choices will determine who will take office for the next five years.
This year’s election is historic for many reasons, but one that stands out the most is the internal divisions within the United Democratic Party (UDP). The ongoing tug-of-war between Tracy Panton and Moses “Shyne” Barrow has led to the haemorrhaging fracture of the party, with both claiming to be the rightful leader. A dispute that failed to meet a resolution by the time nomination day came. This led to the Election and Boundaries Commission resorting to recognising all 41 candidates running under the banner and allocating the traditional red to all 41 candidates.
This unprecedented situation means that, for the first time in Belize’s history, voters in certain constituencies will see multiple UDP candidates vying for their vote, all under the same traditional red banner.
The UDP is one of the 6 political bodies coming out on March 12. There’s also the People’s United Party (PUP) with 31 candidates, the Belizean Justice Movement (BJM) with 7 candidates, and the General Opportunity Development Party (GODP) with 1 candidate. The People’s National Party (PNP) is bringing 2 candidates, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 4 candidates, and finally 4 candidates running as independents.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 constituencies you’ll want to keep an eye on for March 12 and why:
ALBERT:
The Albert constituency in Belize City will see a highly contested race with four candidates: PUP’s Kaya Cattouse, PDM’s Cornelio Galvez, and two UDP candidates, Jose Espat and the incumbent Tracy Panton. Panton has held the seat since 2015, after taking over from Herman Longsworth of the UDP. She is now seeking a third term, having won her second term by a narrow margin of just 41 votes. In the 2020 election, she received 1,271 votes, while her opponent, PUP’s Paul Thomson, was right behind her with 1,230 votes.
This time around, though, Panton will be facing Espat under the UDP banner.
Meanwhile, tensions between PUP’s Kaya Cattouse and Panton spiked a couple of weeks back after Cattouse fired off a bold statement. During a PUP campaign in Independence Village, Stann Creek, Cattouse confidently stated, “Because the PUP will win across the north, the south, the west, and in Belize District. We will win, Albert, and do you know why? Because Tracy time has come, and Tracy time is done.” It was her follow-up comment that raised eyebrows. Cattouse added, “Because mek we be real, she can’t keep up with me—nuh pan the bike, worse on the campaign trail—and nuh mek we talk bout we ina the mirror.” Panton condemned the remarks as “body shaming” and labelled them as “poor, poor taste.” Cattouse defended her comments, explaining they were taken out of context, stating, “This is a competition… And for anybody who took my comments to be other than that, definitely got my message wrong.” Cattouse called her statements an “introspection,” adding, “Take a book out of Michael Jackson’s page—The Man in the Mirror. When I look in the mirror, I see a young, fresh, new politician. One that no opponent can keep up with. And that is what I was referring to.”
Following the exchange, Prime Minister and Leader of the PUP John Briceño walked shoulder to shoulder with Cattouse in support during a campaign walk in the constituency. Meanwhile, Galvez and Espat have also been campaigning fiercely. Espat in particular has been very vocal about his intentions for his constituency under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership within the UDP.
PORT LOYOLA:
The race for Port Loyola’s seat in the upcoming March 12 elections is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and dynamic in Belize City. A total of five candidates are vying for the position, with three from the UDP: Dr. Nelma “Mortis” Jones, Philip Willoughby, and Anthony “Boots” Martinez.
The incumbent, Gilroy Usher of the PUP, seeks a second term, facing off against his son-in-law, Willoughby. In the 2020 election, Usher emerged victorious with a voting turnout of 2,106 votes. He led Willouhby by almost 800 votes.
The contest is marked by intense criticism and bold promises. Usher, who has touted his record on housing and land distribution, defended his work, stating, “We have built starter homes for the people… these houses cost the homeowners only twenty-five dollars a week.” However, his opponents argue his efforts have fallen short.
Willoughby, Usher’s son-in-law, decided to challenge him by branding the red banner in Tracy Panton’s slate. He vowed to address the area’s neglect if elected. He proposed transformative change, stating, “If I am the area representative—and I knew that my mother lived on the street, I would have probably fixed the street by now. It would have been the street of gold, like in the Wizard of Oz.”
Willoughby is not the only UDP candidate that criticised Usher and the Briceño administration. Though running under the same traditional red, Dr. Jones is a candidate in Barrow’s slate. She also criticised the sitting area representative Usher for having Port Loyola “neglected.” Meanwhile, PDM’s Tablada argued that residents suffer from a lack of land, with the poor receiving less favourable plots.
Then there is former four-term representative “Boots” Martinez, who is also seeking to reclaim Port Loyola. He claims that under his tenure, he built 40-50 homes in the area, a stark contrast to Usher’s record of just one house in five years. Martinez is a veteran UDP, calling himself UDP’s “original,” and is running independently of the two main leaders of the party. He is not forming part of Barrow’s or Panton’s slate. On nomination day, Martinez locked in his name as a stand-alone UDP candidate. This was despite his notable support for October 2024’s “unity convention,” where he stood firmly that Panton was now the interim leader of the UDP.
MESOPOTAMIA:
Mesopotamia is also another key constituency to keep an eye on in the upcoming March 12 elections. UDP’s incumbent candidate, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, is facing a fierce challenge from within his own party. Businessman Lee Mark Chang locked in his name on nomination day and entered the race as a UDP candidate under Tracy Panton’s leadership. This positioned Chang as a potential contender against Barrow. Also in the mix is PUP’s candidate Lawrence Ellis.
Compared to this year’s election, Barrow only had to go up against one opponent, Dr. Candice Pitts in the 2020 election. That year, Barrow secured the seat with a total of 910 votes, while Pitts received 751 votes.
In an interview in January 2025, Prime Minister John Briceño recognised the internal divisions within the UDP and acknowledged the potential for the PUP to capitalise on the situation. “Mesopotamia division has been voting UDP since 1974… it is still difficult,” Briceño said but expressed confidence in his candidate, Ellis.
Meanwhile, a key figure on this Mesop’s ballot is Chang, who has openly criticised Barrow, stating, “We need to remove the ‘cancer.’” He claims that many voters are disillusioned with unfulfilled promises and are flocking to Panton’s camp. “People are realising that they have been bamboozled,” Chang declared during a recent interview on Open Your Eyes.
Chang even facilitated the opening of a new headquarters for Panton’s UDP faction in the same Mesopotamia constituency. This headquarters was opened in January 2025, after Panton and her supporters demanded access to the UDP Headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive in Belize City.
With two UDP candidates and one of the PUP going head to head for the seat, this constituency is set to be an intense one. The ball for this one is in anyone’s court.
COLLET:
In the case for the Collet division, there are two candidates vying for the seat. Voters there will have to choose between the incumbent UDP candidate Patrick Faber and first-time runner Devin Daly from the PUP.
29-year-old Daly is rapidly positioning himself as the fresh face the constituency needs after getting endorsed by the PUP back in September 2024. Known for his athleticism and leadership on the basketball court, Daly is now applying those qualities to a political career. He argues that it’s time for new leadership and did not flinch at locking in his name on nomination day. “I’m young, fresh, and energetic. I have a lot to bring to the table,” he said in an interview in February.
Faber appears to be unfazed about the challenge Daly is bringing. He believes his extensive five-term track record gives him the edge—talk about strongholds! “People are telling me that they know the relationship we’ve shared for many years, and they have no intention of changing course,” Faber told News 5 in February. One of Faber’s best voting turnout was the 2020 election, where he secured a vote count of 1,834 compared to the 1,142 votes that his opponent Oscar Arnold of the PUP received.
This time around, Faber is running as a UDP candidate under the Tracy Panton-led UDP.
Faber has maintained a hold on Collet since 2003, giving him 22 years as the division’s area representative. In those 20+ years, Faber has challenged four different PUP candidates, led the UDP to general elections in 2020, faced a domestic violence complaint, and been removed as Leader of the Opposition twice.
CAYO NORTH:
Over at Cayo North, voters will be seeing three candidates coming in strong for the constituency. These three candidates are the incumbent PUP candidate Michel “Micho” Chebat, UDP’s Omar Figueroa, and BJM’s Leroy “Lee” Lisbey.
The constituency has been closely contested between the red and blue parties in the past elections. On March 12, 2025, Figueroa will face Chebat for the third time. Figueroa won the seat in 2015 but lost to Chebat by over 700 votes in 2020, a sharp contrast from their 2015 race, where Chebat was right behind by just 150 votes.
The number of votes became a conversation after Figueroa accused incumbent Chebat of electoral fraud as he launched his “Bring Back Omar for Cayo North” campaign. For the past months, he raised concerns about 124 names on the voter list and claimed they don’t belong to the constituency. Despite a favourable court ruling, Figueroa said the names remained. He said in an interview in February that these voters “should go back to the constituencies where they came from.” Two days later, on February 19, the Elections and Boundaries Commission reaffirmed the integrity of the electoral process, confirming there has been no fraud and that all registration processes follow the law.
Meanwhile, Lisbey, a retired public officer, is joining the mix. He’s focused on running a grassroots, people-centred campaign and addressing the pressing needs of the local community. He has also criticised the Chebat as the current area representative, stating, “I am not like the two political parties running on broken, empty promises. I am walking the streets and hearing what people need. I will work for them on the basic things.”
Incumbent Alex Balona of the PUP is hoping to secure a second consecutive term after defeating UDP’s Rene Montero in the 2020 election, ending his three-term reign. That year, Balona secured 3,434 votes, leaving behind Montero by 735 votes. After his defeat, Montero was charged with “wilful oppression” in 2023 for alleged misuse of public property during his tenure as Minister of Works. This allegation allegedly happened between 2016 and 2020 when he lost to Balona.
But Balona’s campaign has been under major scrutiny after two scandals stemmed from separate videos that went viral on social media. The first one involved him spitting at his UDP opponent during the 2020 election. Balona defended his actions during his appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, claiming that he was first assaulted with a phone. Just days after he had cleared up this drama, he was captured again in a separate video where he appears to be mocking a local journalist’s speech impediment during a campaign rally in San Antonio Village. Balona apologised through a video he posted on social media. He said, “I, Alex Balona, deeply regret what occurred on Thursday night at the public function. I sincerely apologise to everyone.” Balona added, “I want to extend my heartfelt apologies to all members of our community, especially to those who live with impairments or challenges, including Mr. Kent Pandy.”
Will these videos affect in any way his voting turnout on March 12 compared to his 2020 election numbers?
Joining the race this year is also UDP’s Mark O’Brien, GODP’s Francisco Escobar, and BJM’s Roody Wade.
Meanwhile, BJM’s Roody Wade is leading 7 candidates in his slate and vying for Cayo Central. The BJM is one of the few third parties in the race, although third parties in Belize historically struggle at the polls. Wade said in February, “If we watch how these two-party systems govern our country for decades, they don’t want people to be empowered, so hopefully at some point the Belizean people will see a need for change.”
COROZAL BAY:
Going up in the northern part of Belize, in the serene constituency of Corozal Bay, there will be three candidates vying for the seat. Voters there will be choosing between PUP’s Thea Garcia-Ramirez, UDP’s Hernan Riverol, and former PUP candidate Elvia Vega-Samos.
In the 2020 election, the late David “Dido” Vega was elected to the seat for the PUP. He secured his victory with 2,402 votes, and ended the UDP’s hold for three terms under Pablo Marin. Marin was left behind with 1,994 votes.
Following Vega’s passing, his sister, Vega-Samos, was elected in a by-election to succeed her brother. Heading closer into the general election year, political tensions brought up attention to the internal drama unfolding within the PUP.
A bitter feud that erupted in 2024 between PUP’s Garcia-Ramirez and Vega-Samos came down to a controversial standard bearer convention in July 2024. Garcia-Ramirez emerged victorious at that convention, defeating the incumbent representative, Vega-Samos. The aftermath and transition of leadership between the two women was short of amicable. The event was marred by allegations of electoral malpractice. Vega-Samos accused the party of manipulating the delegates’ list, claiming that some of her supporters were removed, and there was coercion to secure votes for Garcia-Ramirez. She also criticised the PUP’s handling of the convention, suggesting that she was denied a fair contest.
In response, the PUP Secretariat dismissed Vega-Samos’s claims as “baseless” and warned her against making unfounded public statements. The tension deepened when Vega-Samos was allegedly evicted from the constituency office she had been using, to which the prime minister, John Briceño, said, “That building belongs to the PUP, and so I want to leave it as that,” in an August 2024 interview.
On February 21, 2025, Vega-Samos took the bold step of announcing her candidacy as an independent candidate in the upcoming General Elections. In response, the PUP expelled her, citing the party’s constitution, which prohibits members from seeking public office outside of the party’s endorsement. Vega-Samos fired back the day after standing firm in her decision to run as an independent candidate for the constituency, stating, “I shall not be moved! I’m resolute, I’m determined, and I’m independent!!”
Joining the political tension in Corozal Bay is Hernan Riverol, the candidate for the UDP. His candidacy forms part of Tracy Panton’s slate, a decision that Moses “Shyne” Barrow referred to as a “betrayal” to his party. In February, Barrow publicly endorsed Vega-Samos and stated that Riverol “has no chances of winning.” According to Barrow, his decision to endorse Vega-Samos came so as to not “complicate things in that constituency.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Briceño said the same thing about Vega-Samos, “She knows she can’t win… If she is a good PUP as she claims to be, then she and her supporters will support the candidate of the PUP. That’s the oath that she took.”
Despite Barrow’s endorsement and growing tension, Garcia-Ramirez remains confident in her odds to secure the constituency. She dismissed Vega-Samo’s challenge, stating that it does not affect her campaign “at all.”
Will the Bay remain blue, go red, or go turquoise for the independent candidate?
COROZAL NORTH:
Coming in for a fourth win for the general election in 2025 is UDP’s incumbent candidate Hugo Patt. Challenging him for a second time is PUP’s David Castillo. BJM’s Condace Espedido is also joining the race.
Over his last runs, Patt has managed to improve his voting turnout. His best number yet was reflected in the 2020 election, where he received 3,479 votes, defeating his opponent PUP’s Castillo by over 900 votes. Castillo secured 2,563 votes, while Alfonso Acosta of the BPF received 66 votes.
As deputy leader of the UDP, Patt has sided with Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership. Though he had stated his disappointment over the UDP’s fractured state. During his appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, Patt acknowledged the turmoil that plagued the party, calling it a “very unfortunate” situation for the UDP.
Over in Tracy Panton’s UDP faction, there were no candidates nominated.
March 12 will be PUP’s Castillo’s third race against Patt. Both runs were decisive wins in favour of Patt. Entering the race for the first time is BJM’s Espedido.
BELMOPAN:
Over in the Belmopan division, voters will see three candidates vying for the seat. The race for the constituency will be between 2 UDP candidates against the incumbent PUP candidate Oscar Mira.
For Mira, securing a second term is crucial for Belmopan’s rapid growth. According to him, his team has focused on investing in the city’s infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and the “work in Belmopan must continue,” he said during an interview in February. Mira led the voting count against Saldivar in the 2020 election by large. He secured 4,172 votes, leaving Saldivar behind by 2,168 votes.
Mira will face John Saldivar for a second time on March 12. Saldivar has made it clear he’s coming to reclaim the seat after his 2020 defeat. Saldivar had held the seat for three consecutive terms before his defeat. On nomination day, Saldivar officially entered the race for a fifth time.
Saldivar’s return to the political scene has been clouded by controversy. In November 2022, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the public designation of Saldivar for significant corruption, which barred him and his family from entering the U.S. He was accused of accepting bribes for immigration documents and misusing public resources, allegations he denies as baseless and politically motivated.
The bribery scheme led to Saldivar’s loss of the UDP leadership. Despite these challenges, he has remained loyal to the UDP banner. Saldivar has been one of the key figures who has fully supported Tracy Panton in the UDP leadership dispute with Moses “Shyne” Barrow. After Barrow “constructively resigned” Saldivar and other supporters, Saldivar maintained his allegiance to the UDP. Saldivar will be running as a UDP candidate under Panton’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Ralston Frazer, named by Barrow as the UDP candidate for Belmopan, is focusing his campaign on addressing “a growing segregation in Belmopan.” He claims this has been an issue for some time now. Frazer is challenging both Mira and Saldivar in the race.
The UDP candidates are David Almendarez and Beverly Williams. Almendarez is a candidate in Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s slate, and Williams is a candidate under Tracy Panton’s UDP faction. Williams is also the second deputy leader in Panton’s UDP faction.
Running for a fourth time is Balderamos-Garcia. She is seeking re-election to add to her 2020 victory when she defeated Williams with a voting turnout of 3,409 votes. Williams was left behind by 1,243 voting difference, securing 2,166 votes. Williams had represented the constituency for five years before suffering 2020’s major defeat.
Williams is also looking to make a comeback. She said her focus is on community development, including sports programs, cultural events, and youth outreach initiatives.
Meanwhile, David Almendarez is a newcomer to politics. He is running under the U.D.P. banner and represents a new generation of leadership. While Almendarez is new to politics, he confidently claimed that his approach would bring a much-needed change.
Also entering the race are PDM’s Estevan Perera and BJM’s Aaron Wilson.
Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout
Channel 5 Belize is gearing up for comprehensive coverage of Belize’s general elections on March 12, 2025, with the theme “Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout.” The programming will offer pre-election features, voter perspectives, expert commentary, and live updates during Election Day. Viewers can expect in-depth analysis of key issues like the economy, governance, and national security, as well as real-time election results and post-election breakdowns. Channel 5 promises to deliver the most trusted and engaging election coverage. Join us on Facebook and Youtube.
Belizeans are less than two days away from casting their vote on March 12. Today, the Labour Department issued a statement reminding employers of their legal obligation to provide employees with reasonable time off to vote in the upcoming General Election on March 12, 2025.
The department stated that “under Section 29 of the Representation of the People Act (Chapter 9),” employers must ensure employees have sufficient time to travel to their polling stations, cast their votes, and return to work. Employers are prohibited from deducting wages or imposing penalties on employees for taking time off to vote.
It added, “For employees who need to travel long distances to vote, employers are encouraged to be flexible and make any necessary adjustments to ensure they can exercise their right to vote.”
Failure to comply with these legal requirements could result in fines or imprisonment, the department said.
A group of Placencia residents gathered this morning to remove rocks placed alongside a beachfront in front of a private property. Footage of the incident shows a confrontation between locals and police officers who were called to the scene.
Eyewitnesses report that the residents were acting to reclaim the beachfront, which they say was obstructed by the rocks.
In a formal notice dated February 27, 2025, the Department of the Environment (DOE) instructed the removal of a breakwater located in front of a property in Placencia, Stann Creek District, by 7 March 2025.
Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai said in the notice that the lack of consultation with relevant agencies, including the DOE, meant that proper approvals were not obtained. He said, “Given the local knowledge, history, and dynamics of the beach, and conceding the fact that you have not consulted any of the relevant agencies, inclusive of the Department, to obtain the necessary inputs/approvals, you are required to remove the existing breakwater placed in front of your property by 7 March, 2025.”
Mai added, “This decision is taking in consideration of Section 29, read along with Section 31 & 51, of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), 2020.”
The DOE notice also warned that if the owner fails to comply, it could take legal action and seek reimbursement for any removal costs.
Julian Cho Technical High School in Punta Gorda, Belize, has issued a statement responding to a recent incident involving an alleged assault between two teachers. Reports indicate that the confrontation escalated to the point where death threats were allegedly made.
“A situation arose on campus involving an allegation that one teacher was threatened and assaulted by another,” the school said.
According to the school, a police investigation was launched immediately after the allegation surfaced.
The school stated, “After a comprehensive review of all the evidence, we have concluded that the teacher accused of the alleged threat of death against her colleague is untrue.”
