90 Nominated Candidates to Be Seen on General Election Ballot

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.”