Sitting Mayor and P.U.P. Slate Sweep Corozal  

In Corozal, the People’s United Party retained its hold with incumbent mayor Rigoberto Vellos securing a win for his entire slate. This win marks the launch of the third term in office for Vellos. Out of the seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-six registered electors, four thousand seven hundred and twenty cast their votes, representing a sixty-point three-one percent voter turnout. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full report.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The polling stations opened at seven a.m. to an average voter turnout in comparison to the other municipalities, with an unremarkable four hundred sixty-three voters between seven and eight a.m. former UDP mayor Hilberto Campos commented on the voter turnout.

 

Hilberto Campos, Former Mayor, Corozal

“Earlier I was talking to someone and we were discussing as to the abnormalities of this election is that the low of turnout, who does it favor? And traditionally it is said that it favors the incumbent, not this time. This time it’s totally different. I am of the opinion based on the campaigning that the slate did, that the Standard Bureau did, that the PUP supporters are reluctant to come out this time.”

 

The low voter turnout trend persisted throughout the day, dipping as low as three hundred and seven voters around one p.m. Activity finally began to increase around three p.m. when the numbers surpassed four hundred and remained above it until the closing of the stations, even peaking at six hundred and twenty-four between four and five p.m.

 

Corozal Voter

“There’s a lot of things that need to be done. And I was just talking to some of my friends and I was looking at the news and Corozal is forgotten. Nobody’s talking about Corozal about how the election is going now. And again, you’ll see. So I think that we should get back on the map and be a vibrant Carrizal town that we used to be. So we need a change.”

 

As the activity picked up, the PUP candidates gained confidence, stating that through their work, historically red polling stations would be able to flip in their favour.

 

David Castillo, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Corozal 

“To be honest to you, this election is different than previous elections. This polling area traditionally has been more red than blue. The machinery today, we have a stronger machinery than the UDP. We have more wonders than the UDP’s and our Machinery is very, very, very active, we’re taking all the people. So we’re, we’re expecting to win this polling area.”

 

Up against Rigoberto Vellos was U.D.P. candidate, Ricardo Acke, and independent candidate Hernan Riverol who stated that only time will tell what the people of  Corozal will decide.

 

Hernan Riverol, Independent Candidate, Corozal

“Well, actually, I already did my groundwork. So just to just be, just greeting people today and let them know I’m present here and they can, the people say they’ll give me their support today, right? So, that just depends on the people, you know, that’s their decision.”

 

Finally, the polling stations were closed and the ballots were gathered to be counted. After several hours, an unofficial count indicated an upcoming win for the PUP.

 

Duane Moody, Reporter

“We’ve been able to get unofficially that it is at one thousand two hundred eighty-three solid for the PUP and four hundred sixty-six solid for the U.D.P. And there are several other boxes that are still being counted. So, but at this time it is about three to three to one in favor of the P.U.P. That’s the unofficial figures that are coming out from the persons who are inside.”

 

After hours of waiting, the results were in. Candidates and supporters gathered to hear the announcement from returning officer Carlos Pol.

 

Carlos Pol, Returning Officer

“The results of the persons elected to be member of the Corozal Town Council are Rigo Vellos mayor, with two thousand seven hundred, ninety-one votes, Miguel MontaLvo, councilor, with two thousand eight hundred eighty-four votes, mister Rodolfo Nirvales, councilor with two thousand eight hundred seventy-seven votes, mister Baldemar Pech, councilo, with two thousand eight hundred eighty-two votes Mister Ononielle Riverol, councilor, with two thousand nine hundred forty-four votes, miss Leslie Rodriguez, counselor with two thousand eight hundred sixty-six votes, and miss Merleni Tapia, counselor with two thousand nine hundred twenty- two votes.”

 

Vellos had been confident in his slate’s ability to pull off the landslide win and reflected on the momentous achievement with satisfaction.

 

Rigoberto Vellos, Mayoral Elect, Corozal

“It is good news. We are very happy. We are very satisfied with the results. You know, we work very hard. You know, and I know that because of that, we are here once more representing the Corozalainians. We made history today. it’s been many moons that Corozal, P.U.P. Corozal Town Council, end up winning Box forty-one. And we did it this time. That’s, that’s history.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.