Belize’s PUP Secures Convincing Victory in General Election
Opposition Party Wins 27 of 31 Parliamentary Seats
Belize’s main opposition People’s United Party (PUP) has secured a convincing victory in Wednesday’s general election, urging the entire nation to come together to build a “better Belize” in the future.
Preliminary reports indicate that the PUP won as many as 27 of the 31 seats in the Parliament, representing what television commentators are calling “the new Blue wall” in Belize.
PUP Leader John Briceno’s Victory Speech
PUP leader John Briceno thanked his supporters and acknowledged the telephone call from the leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Patrick Faber. Briceno expressed his gratitude to the people of Orange Central for giving him the opportunity to represent them for the seventh time.
“So join us, Thank you Belize, thank you so much, stay safe, God bless you and God bless our beloved Belize,” Briceno said in his speech.
Concession Speech by UDP Leader Patrick Faber
In his concession speech, Faber wished the PUP and Briceno “a successful administration” and called on all Belizeans to choose national unity in the face of the challenges they will face.
“While there were winners and losers, the democracy that we have continued to enjoy throughout the life of this great young nation is by far the greatest winner today,” Faber said.
Election Details
The polls were held against concerns of a stagnant economy and rising coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. At least 80 per cent of the 182,815 voters had cast their ballots in the election, with 88 candidates representing four political parties and several independents.
The counting of the ballots took place during the 8.00 pm to 5.00 am curfew, with authorities warning that no one would be allowed out in public except media workers and candidates with approved assistants.
Major Issues in the Campaign
The major issues in the campaign leading up to the elections were the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy, with both the UDP and the PUP promising to dedicate a lot of resources and energy into “flattening” the curve of the virus, which has infected more than 4,230 people and killed 71 others in the country.
The prolonged downturn in the economy, exacerbated by the closure of the borders due to the virus, has left many of the estimated 400,000 population fighting poverty. Scandals and graft allegations have also taken the shine off Prime Minister Barrow’s record, with allegations of nepotism given that his sister is running to succeed him in parliament, while his son is also on the UDP ticket.
Conclusion
The PUP’s convincing victory in the general election is a clear indication of the people’s desire for change and a new direction for the country. As the party prepares to take office, it is crucial that they work together to build a better Belize for all citizens.
FAQs
Q: How many seats did the PUP win in the election?
A: The PUP won 27 of the 31 seats in the Parliament.
Q: What were the major issues in the campaign?
A: The major issues were the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy.
Q: What did the PUP promise to do in its campaign?
A: The PUP promised to dedicate a lot of resources and energy into “flattening” the curve of the virus and to work towards building a better economy for all citizens.
Q: What did the UDP leader, Patrick Faber, say in his concession speech?
A: Faber wished the PUP and Briceno “a successful administration” and called on all Belizeans to choose national unity in the face of the challenges they will face.