Belize Rural Central Stays Pan Track with Dolores

Belize Rural Central is still proudly blue after Dolores Balderamos-Garcia clinched the victory in the 2025 General Elections. On Wednesday, it was a showdown between five candidates vying to be the next area representative, but in the end, it was P.U.P.’s Dolores Balderamos-Garcia who emerged triumphant. Now, let’s hear from News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full recap.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Wednesday saw five candidates battling it out at the polls in Belize Rural Central, all aiming to become the next area representative. Despite the different choices, the usual election day buzz was missing, with fewer voters showing up than expected. UDP candidate David Almendarez pointed to voter dissatisfaction from past years as the reason for the low turnout.

 

David Almendarez, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural Central

“ We’re not going to buy a vote. We’re noh wa beg, we ask for honest change, good change. So if David, by some, miracle of the stars I win, that will be genuine, organic votes. We ask the voters to turn up early, voice your opinion. A lot of the voters in the Belize Rural Central are very disgruntled about the overall scenarios.”

 

Just as Almendarez predicted, the morning saw a low voter turnout. Beverly Williams, the U.D.P. candidate on Tracy Taegar-Panton’s team, was out and about, rallying her supporters throughout the day. Williams was determined to make a comeback after losing the seat to Dolores Balderamos-Garcia in the 2020 General Elections.

 

Beverly Williams, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural Central

“We’re here because we think we belong here. I’m feeling good. The response on the ground, the campaign was good. And so we are very encouraged by what we heard on the ground. And as I said, a steady flow and hopefully people will be out.”

 

Williams was further motivated by the steady stream of support she received from members of the constituency.

 

Beverly Williams

“I’m getting thumbs up as they pass in their vehicles, so that’s the feedback I’m getting this morning. As they pass by, as they pass on the other side of the road, I’m getting the thumbs up. So those people that spoke to me, the vibes, they’re coming out to vote.”

 

Joining the race were Aaron Wilson from the Belize Justice Movement and Estevan Perera from the People’s Democratic Movement. Wilson shared why he was feeling calm and confident about the results.

 

Aaron Wilson, B.J.M. Candidate, Belize Rural Central

“From the start, I never really follow up the crowd or monitor the movement. I just want the results. That is the reason I joined. Because my people encourage me to do it. The people who I work with in the community. And I just want to show them that I’m brave enough to do what they want me to do. So, I just wait for the results and happy whatever the outcome.”

 

Although the turnout seemed sparse throughout the day, over half of the constituency’s seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two voters made it to the polls. Many of those votes went to PUP candidate Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, securing her victory.

 

Karen Jones, Returning Officer, Belize Rural Central

“Total number of votes counted for Dolores Garcia Balderamos is two thousand eight hundred and ninety-five. Total number of votes counted for Beverly “Ms. Bev” Williams is one thousand three hundred and seventy-seven votes. Total number of votes counted for David Almendarez is one hundred and forty-two votes. Total number of votes counted for Estevan Alejandro Pereira is forty-nine votes, and the total number of votes casted for Aaron Bonny T. Wilson is thirty-four  votes.  Total number of votes rejected, one hundred seventy-two, with one rejected, objected ballot.  I hereby declare that the duly elected candidate for the Belize Rural Central Division is Ms. Dolores Garcia-Balderamos.”

 

Before the official announcement, Balderamos-Garcia showed up to greet her supporters and express her gratitude for their votes. She emphasized that the hard work isn’t over yet—she and her team are committed to continuing their service to the people of Belize Rural Central for another five years.

 

Dolores, Balderamos-Garcia, Area Representative, Belize Rural Central

“I have to feel good. My people feel good.”

 

Reporter

”You came out after all, did you expect this today?”

 

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“We were working hard, but I am always cautiously optimistic. As I told you earlier today, and I apologize. I don’t give interviews on voting day, but now that the voting is over and the people have spoken, not me, we can celebrate.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.