A Belize City family is asking for your help in locating sixty-nine-year-old Idolly Young. Young, who is diagnosed with dementia, was last seen on Tuesday, January 5th, near Sanker Street in Belize City. She was wearing a white blouse and a floral skirt. If you have any information that can help the family, you are asked to call +501 613-3361.
Tag: 3-7-24
Man Convicted of Theft Found Dead in Prison
Forty-two-year-old Everaldo Garcia was found this morning in his jail cell at the Belize Central Prison. Prison officials do not suspect foul play. Officials say that prison officers were alerted by another inmate to the fact that Garcia was unresponsive. The head of the intelligence unit, Lismark Bennett, was informed of the matter.
According to reports, Garcia received medical attention on Wednesday and was last seen early on Thursday morning. There were no signs of foul play on his body.
Garcia pleaded guilty to theft in 2022. He stole two bottles of carpet cleaner in Belize City. He was fined $400. He was again convicted of theft in January 2024 and was serving a custodial sentence.
PUP Leader John Briceño Thanks Voters
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister John Briceño expressed his gratitude to “all Belizeans who exercised their democratic rights yesterday during our nationwide municipal elections.” Briceño, who is the leader of the ruling People’s United Party (PUP), said that he was thankful that there were free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The 2024 municipal elections were held on March 6th in Belize. The PUP retained control of the two cities (Belize and Belmopan) and six towns (Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, Benque Viejo del Carmen, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda). The UDP gains seats in San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town. The UDP took six out of the seven seats. PUP councillor Aarom Mai retained his seat.
In his statement, Briceño also extended appreciation to the public officers responsible for managing and overseeing the elections, recognising their competence and fairness in carrying out their duties.
PUP Dominates 2024 Municipal Elections
There were 67 seats up for grabs for the 2024 municipal elections. The ruling People’s United Party fielded 67 candidates. The United Democratic Party also fielded 67 candidates. The People’s Democratic Movement had 11 candidates in the race. There were 11 independent candidates. Out of the 101,190 persons eligible to vote, 58,155 cast ballots. This translated to a 57.47% voter turnout countrywide. 52.16% of the voters were female, and 47.84 were male. Orange Walk Town had the highest voter turnout with 64.53%, and Dangriga Town had the least with 51.27%.
While the UDP increased the number of seats when compared to the previous municipal elections, the PUP dominated the 2024 municipal elections, winning all but one town council.
Corozal Town
Registered electors: 7,826
Ballots Cast: 4,709
Voter turnout: 60.17%
Orange Walk Town
Registered electors: 10,511
Ballots Cast: 6,783
Voter turnout: 64.53%
Belize City
Registered electors: 37,224
Ballots Cast: 20,197
Voter turnout: 54.26%
San Pedro Town
Registered electors: 8,704
Ballots Cast: 5,397
Voter turnout: 62.01%
Belmopan City
Registered electors: 10,065
Ballots Cast: 5,623
Voter turnout: 55.87%
San Ignacio/San Ignacio Town
Registered electors: 13,729
Ballots Cast: 8,059
Voter turnout: 58.7&
Benque Viejo del Carmen Town
Registered electors: 4,816
Ballots Cast: 2,856
Voter turnout: 59.3%
Dangriga Town
Registered electors: 5,282
Ballots Cast: 2,708
Voter turnout: 51.27%
Punta Gorda Town
Registered electors: 3,033
Ballots Cast: 1,861
Voter turnout: 61.36%
Data compiled by the Elections and Boundaries Department in partnership with Total Business Solutions Limited shows that 452,073 voters were cast. The PUP received 63.23% of the total voters while the UDP received 35.15%. The UDP increased its number of seats in San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town when compared to the previous municipal elections. That was the only mixed slate with one PUP candidate retaining his seat.