Tonight, Belizeans are getting ready for a four week sprint to the polls. Just as we told you he would, the Prime Minister today announced March 12th as the date for the general election. First he and his brother, Jaime along with Deputy PM Cordel Hyde and Senior Minister Francis Fonseca went over to the Governor General's residence to dissolve the National Assembly and issue a writ of election.
And then he went back to the Sir Edney Cain building in Belmopan where at 10:45 am he live-streamed the public announcement.
Here are the key pieces from his four minute address which he delivered with all 31 candidates standing behind him:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Things have changed dramatically, as we promised they would. Every day since you gave us that massive vote of confidence, my colleagues and I have worked to deliver on plan Belize and to maintain your trust."
"Plan Belize is making good on its pledge to a national transformation with this sterling report card in hand and after careful reflection and prayer, I have decided that now is the appropriate time to seek from you a renewal of our electoral mandate. Earlier, I advised the Governor-General to dissolve the National Assembly today and to appoint Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 as the date for general elections."
So, the battle is now truly joined, but who is the PUP battling against? The UDP remains divided. We have seen a flyer with 13 candidates for Tracy Panton's party - which, at this time, for legal reasons she is not allowed to call the UDP. As for Shyne Barrow, he has said he will put forth 31 candidates. They were promised at the end of January, but that process seems to still be in the "loading" phase - so there is no flyer. And, most importantly, which candidates will get to have their name beside the color red? Well, that still has not been decided by the Elections and Boundaries Commission and today the Chief Elections Officer told us, quote, "The Commission is still yet to make a decision." That probably means we will know closer to nomination day - which is set for February 24th.
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