Objections to Voter Eligibility Cause Early Chaos in Cayo North

As the 2025 General Elections progress, Lennox Nicholson, the Returning Officer for Cayo North, provided an update on voter turnout and ongoing challenges at polling stations in the constituency.

Cayo North, which comprises polling stations in San Ignacio and Bullet Tree, saw an active start to the voting process. “Over 500 ballots were cast here in San Ignacio, while about 180 votes were recorded in Bullet Tree,” Nicholson stated. He noted that the atmosphere has been consistently busy with a steady flow of voters throughout the day.

However, the process has not been without challenges. Nicholson confirmed that there have been multiple objections raised regarding certain voters. What has happened is that we have been having to deal with this particular situation where there have been objections yes to ballots being issued to many voters. Right. So what what I have been doing is working with my presiding officers to note the objections and to put them, give them a briefing as to how to deal with these objections and trying to make sure that they know how to treat with it throughout the rest of the day,” he explained.

When asked whether these objections were related to the 124 voters previously challenged by UDP candidate Omar Figueroa, Nicholson acknowledged the connection. “There are objections being made on the bases that there are some court matters.”

“Our remit is to manage the process and allow every single voter in that voting list to get a ballot. So they are being allowed to vote. Since they have raised objections we are documenting those objections meticulously.”

“In the first hour it was absolutely chaotic because we were being bombarded with these objections.”

Nicholson assured that election officers have now streamlined the process.

He urged all registered voters in Cayo North to participate in the election.