The long wait is finally over. A week after CEO Valentino Shal announced on his Facebook that the “major order we have placed is almost ready,” the Department of Transport has officially announced that it is launching a nationwide distribution of license plates, stickers, and driver’s license cards for individuals who have already made payments.
News 5 had reported previously that many drivers, particularly those in rural areas, had been left without their credentials for months, and some even for years.
The distribution will kick off today in Belmopan, Spanish Lookout, and Santa Elena. Tomorrow, it will shift to Belize City, followed by Corozal and Orange Walk on Monday. Finally, residents of Dangriga, Independence, and Punta Gorda can collect their items on Tuesday.
Customers will need to present their receipt as proof of payment and the original Certificate of Title to collect their license plates. Additionally, they must pick up their items from the same office where the payment was made.
The Transport Department added that all offices will remain open during regular working hours, including the lunch hour, on these scheduled dates.
During his appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson explained that the delays stemmed from an ordering issue, not a shortage of supplies. He stated that this “will not happen again on my watch.”
Tensions flared at the Punta Gorda Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday when prisoner Mason Kelly attacked Magistrate Sashawna Jody-Ann Thompson. Kelly has a history of violent offences, including burglary and attempted murder. He lashed out during his court appearance.
According to police, Kelly was arraigned at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, February 19, where Magistrate Baha Shoman appeared virtually. Kelly recently completed a 15-year sentence for attempted murder and pleaded guilty to contempt of court. He denied the aggravated assault charge, claiming he threw a fan but did not aim it at the magistrate.
Magistrate Shoman accepted the guilty plea for contempt of court and imposed a fine of $175.00 or six weeks imprisonment. The aggravated assault case was adjourned to April 16.
It has been reported that the out-district magistrates are left to fend for themselves without proper security measures in place.
On Tuesday, the Elections and Boundaries Commission decided that both the Tracy Panton United Democratic Party and the “Shyne” Barrow U.D.P. can use red for the March twelfth general election. The commission, which includes three members from the ruling party and two from the opposition, voted three-two in favor. One opposition member wanted only the Barrow U.D.P. to use red, while the other suggested different shades of red for each party. The final decision will likely involve distinct symbols, but nothing is final until after Nomination Day, as we learned today in Belmopan. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The main dispute within the divided United Democratic Party is which faction gets to use red in the March twelfth general election. On Tuesday, the five-member Election and Boundaries Commission voted on this. Most members agreed that both factions can use red, but with different symbols to tell them apart. This issue was discussed in detail at a meeting for election stakeholders this morning. Commissioner Orlando Espat shared his thoughts.
Orlando Espat
Orlando Espat, Commissioner, E.B.C
“The representation of the people’s act empowers us that in the case the political parties cannot agree with a color then there is a section that gives the commission the power to assign colors or symbols to the political parties. That determination is expected to be made how? We do it at the commission level and that defemination has already been made by taking a vote, as I gave you all today, we gave option and the option that agreed upon, not unanimously, but by a majority is that the two political parties will get red and we have them all the option to go back to their parties. The UDP side is saying no there is only one UDP and the other side is saying no we are also UDP. So we will give booth of them the red, but you go back to your party and come back to us and tell us next week which symbol you want to put there.”
However, Alberto August, the U.D.P. representative on the commission, believes the vote on Tuesday was premature. He insists that the final decision should be made after Nomination Day, when candidates declare their chosen colors.
Alberto August
Alberto August, Commissioner, E.B.C
“Like I told the commission yesterday, that voting that happened yesterday was premature. Everything comes to a head, on nomination day. The nomination forms clearly states at the last item on the right hand side of the nomination paper that the political parties advice that time of the color they want to put with their name. So, unless that process is completed, the commission cannot make a determination on that matter. What will happen in the event, one of the feuding factions says, let us abandon this, because it will be a great confusion and they say give me black. Because I am telling tou it is going to create some problems because there are some people who vote color and when you go on the ballot and you want to vote for a candidate weh red you might vote for the different red one.”
August argues that letting both factions use red will lead to more spoiled ballots. However, it’s unlikely either party will change their stance. So, they’ll need to agree on unique symbols for their red. Michael Peyrefitte, U.D.P. Chairman under Moses “Shyne” Barrow, shed more light on this issue.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P
“You are going to the election and boundaries commission and say I am Paul Lopez and I want to run for this constituency. I want to use the color mother of pearl.it turns out that he comes in that same division and says I want to use mother of pearl, what the commission then does is like listen to me, you two come in, both of you have the same color and symbol that you want to use. We need to have you agree that one of you will take a different color or if you can’t agree, then we will make the differentiation as to what will differentiate you in terms of signs and symbols. If Paul Lopez the run and he the run under the sandfly or mosquito, you have the sample ballot with his x next to it, if he goes to campaign, he will distribute his sample ballot and say, I am the macala, just look for the macala and vote for me.”
When we talked to Sheena Pitts, the U.D.P. Chair under Tracy Panton, she mentioned that it’s still undecided whether either faction will use symbols.
Sheena Pitts
Sheena Pitts, Chairperson, U.D.P
“We are UDP and the color for UDP is red and it is just that in my view. That isnot a win. That is the rightful thing. We don’t know yet that there will be symbols. I don’t want you to proceed with the understanding that there will be symbols. All UDPs will be able to use red and what remains outstanding is whether or not anyone would opt to use an accompanying symbol. If it comes to that, whether or not that will be confusing, it remains the obligation of the party to do voters education.”
When we spoke with Michael Peyrefitte in Belmopan today, we asked if the Moses “Shyne” Barrow U.D.P. has the funds to run a strong campaign and election. Viewers might remember that a few months ago, Anthony “Boots” Martinez claimed Barrow doesn’t have the wealth he says he does. Running in a general election, especially for a major party, is costly. The discussion then shifted to what voters expect from their candidates in return for their votes. Here’s how it unfolded.
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P
“What we are going through right now is what we have always gone through. The UDP at its worst national election moment in 2022, we had thirty-two thousand people vote for the UDP. We are a mass party. People contribute. Peoplevolunteer their service, they assist the party for the betterment of their country because they know that the UDP is better Belize. So, it is not all about money as people would want to have us believe. I think it is very insulting for the Belizean people to say oh you have to have so much money because you have to pay people to vote for you. You cant pay people to vote for you.”
Paul Lopez
“But, it is the stat you, we know how it goes.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I the tell you what I believe. Who pay people.”
Paul Lopez
“Mr. Wade got up moments ago and he complains bitterly.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Sir, you are a journalist, before you get up and day people pay people you need to have proof of that. It is a serious, you cannot throw out a broad statement like that, because doing that is a criminal offense and if you accuse anybody of doing that, you are guilty of being liable.”
Paul Lopez
“I don’t have to pay you, but there are grants, expectations.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“There are no expectations. The only expectation that people have of the UDP is better government and better lives for the Belizean people. That is all we are offering.”
Peyrefitte emphasized that it’s not just about money. He compared it to a relationship, saying that winning over voters also requires personal qualities like respect.
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Let me break it down to you as a fairly good looking man trying to capture a nice young lady to marry you. Is your only attribute you bring to the relationship money? Don’t you have to be nice, courteous, don’t you have to be a gentleman. Don’t you have to have manners and respect for women? There is so many things other than just money. So when you say, is he a good man, is the only measurement money? If the only thing a political party can do is provide money and it is your money, there is something out of wack. I would like to think that the Belizean people would want to hear something deeper than that. I think they want to ensure that if they elect a certain party to serve in government they can make their lives better.”
Roody Wade, the Leader of the Belize Justice Movement, a third party in the March twelfth general election, spoke up at today’s EBC meeting. He expressed his frustration over alleged bribery and election day campaigning. Wade claims he has provided evidence, but nothing has been done. He is urging all candidates to ensure a fair election, free from these violations.
Roody Wade, Leader, Belize Justice Movement
“You talk about free and fair, three hundred dollars, two hundred dollars, buying the votes right there. All these things got to stop. And that man right there, Mr. August, he is part and parcel of that. I have seen him. My discontent is that there are laws already in black and white and these people keep directing these same laws for twenty-five, thirty years. I personally have been a candidate on several occasions and I know the ills and I see it and keep speaking about it. I have produced evidence of all the illegal things that happen. Why is it not being fixed. Here I go into an election with a clean heart, try to do the right thing, then when I go I see all this corruption in terms of buying votes, in terms of the hundred yards. It is plain to be seen. You go to any one of these poling stations and they are right up at the gate. Who is there to police them?”
Paul Lopez
“How much of a challenge is it to get evidence?”
Roody Wade
“I produce evidence, there is a way to go about that, because there is a way about going doing that.”
When we spoke with Alberto August after the EBC meeting, we asked him to respond to Wade’s accusation. August declined to comment on Wade’s claim but openly admitted that bribery is a major problem in the electoral process.
Alberto August, Deputy Chair, U.D.P
“Mr Wade called you saying you are part and parcel of the problem where election offenses are concerned. He spoke specifically to bribery, saying you are mingling with that. You say what, sometimes v9oters simply want passage to go home? Maybe it is not a matter I want to speak to in terms of Mr. Wade’s utterances. You all were in there and you see the boisterous ways he was acting to the point where the police had to intervene. I would not want to comment on that. I know Mr. Wade. We are not friends. We are acquaintances. Sometimes he speaks from a standpoint of limited knowledge and that is what he did in there to the point where he wanted to get physical with the secretary general of the PUP. So I don’t want to comment much on what Mr. Wade said.”
Paul Lopez
“Would you agree that this is an issue, bribery and it stains this democratic process?”
Alberto August
“I would be disingenuous if I stand here and say this is not an issue. Of course this is an issue. There are people who come out on election day to make a little money. But there are genuine people who travel from far with the promise that come vote for me, I will pay your passage to get back from where you came. In terms of myself that might have been what he saw.”
Maria Rodriguez has officially taken on the role of auditor general. Her appointment was approved by the House of Representatives and Senate, despite some pushbacks from the Opposition and its allies in the upper house. Earlier today, Rodriguez visited the Governor General’s office in Belmopan to take her Oath of Office. She will serve until 2047, making her the longest-serving senior civil servant responsible for enhancing government accountability through audits and reports on government operations. Earlier today, News Five spoke by phone with Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union.
On the phone: Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U.
“I think it’s important that firstly I recognize the excellent work of the senator for the NTUCB in highlighting and expressing to the country the concerns that labor has with the appointment. But, nonetheless, we live in a democracy, albeit it’s extremely messy. I think that it’s also important that I point out how ironic the pronouncement of the Chamber was. The chamber senator would have questioned the qualifications and whether or not the individual was suitable but yet would not have taken a position such as that which the labor senator would have taken. The recommendation has passed through successfully, through both houses and so it is important that we recognize that and we offer congratulations to the newly appointed Auditor General. It is also important that we give her our full support, and so it is important then that as the representative of public sector workers that we have a conversation with her during which I intend to be twofold. How do we ensure and assist that the environment in which public officers work in within the Auditor General’s ministry in terms of all the legacy grievances that exist and that existed? How do we get past those to ensure that the officers can focus on giving her their full support to ensure that they’re able to deliver for the people of Belize through regular and quality audits?”
Flowers is urging the new auditor general to keep the government in check by thoroughly examining the financial records of various ministries to prevent corruption.
On the phone: Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U.
“How can we support her office to ensure that the officers are properly changed and that there is not undue influence on her office to put people, to hire people within that office through political directorate who we know may not have the requisite qualification and competency. I think that is also something that we have to safeguard and support her with. And finally, we as a union must hold her accountable. We must hold her accountable to ensure that she’s delivering timely and regular audits. I’m not talking about audit of financial statements, I’m talking about getting inside these ministries and conduct risk audits, conduct other audits that can be conducted to unmask and expose the mass corruption that exist in many of these ministries. She takes instructions from no one and I would hope that she would rely on this clause when she starts getting political calls, whether it be from the Office of the Prime Minister to shut down an audit which has happened before in the past administration and under this administration it has occurred. And I dare say, they can challenge that statement and tell her to continue the audit or commence the audit.”
Earlier this week, we interviewed the U.D.P.’s Cayo North Candidate, Doctor Omar Figueroa. He urged the Elections and Boundaries Commission to remove one hundred and twenty-four names from the constituency’s voter list, based on a 2024 Magistrates Court ruling. Today, we asked EBC Commissioner Orlando Espat about this request. Espat explained that the People’s United Party is appealing the decision, which stops the commission from removing the names.
Orlando Espat, Commissioner, E.B.C
“Well just remember, it is an appeal. So, if you go to court and the magistrate or the high court will tell you they find you guilty and sentence you, but you launch and appeal, there is nothing you can do until the Court of Appeal listens to it. I think on this case the PUP side said they will appeal the decision of the court, of the Magistrate. That happens in San Ignacio and they appealed. This is before the High Court and this is why we don’t want to speak on it. We cannot remove any elector and disenfranchise them from the voters list without the authority of the High Court. To remove the High Court has to do that. IF they say keep them, it is the same we keep them.”
