People’s United Party gain wide majority in municipal elections, win by-election

Published by BBN Staff at March 4, 2021

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Posted: Thursday, March 4, 2021. 8:57 am CST.

By Aaron Humes Preliminary results from the Election and Boundaries Department show a wide victory for the People’s United Party in Wednesday’s municipal elections and by-election in Corozal Bay.

In the latter, Elvia Vega Samos trounced United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate Hilberto Campos by 2,659 to 1,428 votes, a margin of slightly more than 2 to 1.

The PUP swept all before them except for San Ignacio, where Mayor Earl Trapp and Councillor Bernadette Fernandez held off the challenge of Ramon “Monchi” Quiroz. Nonetheless, five PUP councilor candidates were elected, ending the UDP’s dominance of local politics.

Reports suggest UDP vice-chairman Alberto August was seen snooping around the Town Hall after the election result but was warded off by police.

The PUP toppled the UDP in Benque Viejo del Carmen and in Belmopan, electing that city’s first woman Mayor Sharon Palacio.

And after frustrations in Dangriga and Punta Gorda over the years, the blue emerged victorious in both, the latter at the expense of the insurgent Belize Progressive Party (BPP).

Belize City handed a second term to Bernard Wagner, though a challenge postponed to April 19 threatens to make his second term a short one. Video posted on social media yesterday showed a process server handing Mayor Wagner papers for that upcoming suit concerning his eligibility for election due to his address being outside of Belize City.

There were heavy victories for the blue in Corozal, Orange Walk and San Pedro Town, resulting in a total of 65 seats won, an increase of 39 seats from 2018.

The councils are expected to be sworn in by mid-next week after the National Heroes Day holiday weekend.

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