7 News Belize

UDP Loses Ground, But Holds Unto Two-Thirds of Municipalities
posted (March 8, 2018)

The Municipal elections are over - and tonight, the UDP can claim victory, again - for the fifth municipal election in a row.  The ruling party won 6 of 9 municipalities and 41of 67 seats overall.  But, they lost their crown jewel, which is the Belize City Council - and, very surprisingly, lost the vote in 6 of 10 city municipalities.  

Tactically, symbolically and in real terms, that alone is a huge setback for the UDP - a real back - breaker, and it is also that much of a momentum giver for the PUP which pulled off an upset with convincing numbers in the UDP's biggest stronghold.  

Still the UDP can console itself that it controls the municipalities in the west and south, namely Benque Viejo, San Ignacio Santa Elena, Belmopan, Dangriga and Punta Gorda - while the PUP now holds the north completely in Orange Walk and Corozal, and snatches that jewel in the central area, Belize City.  The only mixed slate is in Dangriga where a single PUP councillor, Erica Jang was elected.  

As for the only island town, the UDP has claimed a numerically small victory there - but there is controversy surrounding that.  The PUP claims that the total number of votes cast for the two mayoral candidates, exceeds the Total number of persons who voted at the end of polling yesterday.  They say the disparity is 162 votes - and reason for concern.  Today - at a post-election press conference - the Prime Minister said it's much ado about nothing:…

Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"Now there is a foolishness that the PUP is putting abroad suggesting that there can be some sort of a challenge or some sort of a recount with respect to Danny's victory and the victory of the UDP entire 7 in San Pedro. As I understand it talking to the chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, all that happened was that at 6 o'clock the returning officer submitted to the Elections and Boundaries office the total number of voters that had cast their ballots at that point but we all know you shut the gates at 6, nobody else can come into the yard but if you are already in the line, you vote. So the total of number of votes actually cast exceeded the figure that had been sent at 6 o'clock. In any event the PUP with all their officials, with all their counters, with all their scrutinies witnessed the counting of every ballot, signed off on the reconciliation sheet, signed off on everything and so ladies and gentlemen Danny's victory is a matter of record and a matter of history and unalterable history."

Danny Guerrero - UDP San Pedro Mayor
"It was very close but that doesn't give them any grounds to really challenge it because everything is official, it has been reported and signed and everything."

Reporter
"He conceded I believe."

Danny Guerrero
"He has already conceded, actually the mayoral candidate of the PUP Mr. Andre Perez he already congratulate me, every single one coming out from the door but the official results are the results and they have conceded. They will never give up of course the pain is hard and I can understand that."

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