UDP eschews motorcades for Nomination Day; calls for peaceful campaign

Published by BBN Staff at October 19, 2020

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Posted: Monday, October 19, 2020. 3:50 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) says its candidates will not be escorted by motorcade to the various places for nomination for the General Election on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

Party Leader Patrick Faber told reporters this afternoon that, following a decision of the party’s National Party Council (NPC) on Saturday, in respect of the rising infection rate and death toll of COVID-19, it prefers not to risk its’ supporters’ health and safety.

He noted that two intimate family members of candidates in the election – Orange Walk East’s Elodio Aragon’s mother-in-law and Corozal North’s Hugo Patt’s father-in-law – have died, and many others have been infected.

Thus, the candidates and their six nominators will present themselves to their nomination stations by constituency with little fanfare, Faber said; even a small motorcade is likely to draw crowds whether in vehicles or on the street side en route.

It hurts, Faber noted, as the party is “well-muscled” and eager to show that muscle; but gatherings will be on social media and traditional media will be engaged including the party’s own organs, WAVE Radio/Television and the Guardian newspaper, and candidates will be communicating via these means.

By the same token, while Faber claims party supporters in Red Bank, Stann Creek District over the weekend were “baited” by their opponents, he said they should not take that bait and ensure their activities on the ground are peaceful and that the campaign generally is peaceful.

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