Public opinion mixed on early election
Over the last several newscasts we’ve heard from numerous politicians on the subject of an early election. Both parties say they are ready, and not surprisingly, each is certain of victory. But what do the voters think of going to the polls in February or March instead of August? Today News 5’s Marion Ali hit the streets to find out.
Citizen #1
“I think they gat lot more things weh they could look pan before they even think ’bout the election.”
Marion Ali
“Such as what?”
Citizen #1
“Well, see how the lifestyle of the people them, see what really the tek place, weh the country really need.”
Marion Ali
“And you don’t feel the Prime Minister is doing that on his tour?”
Citizen #1
“No.”
Citizen #2
“I just feel they will be better off having the municipal election in March, so I feel like they should put it off until another time.”
Marion Ali
“But if they call it early you would be willing and able and ready to vote?”
Citizen #3
“Yes, I will be ready anytime they call it. Anytime they call it I ready.”
Citizen #4
“I think the two ah them. I think you could have the two of them on the same date. And it ease the pressure off the people for when you come one day then you have to wait until the next month and they put yu inna tension and stress, you inna problem, so I think if yu could get one slot; bop, bop and that’s it.”
Citizen #5
“I think they find demself inna problem, so they the try hurry call up election now. They realize how much money they done borrow already, so they want hurry call up election.”
Marion Ali
“You think it will be before the municipal elections or after?”
Citizen #5
“Well I hear that dah next month, I no really sure. I feel that dah next month.”
Marion Ali
“Do you think Belizeans are ready for an early election?”
Citizen #6
“Belizeans always step up to the challenge when it comes to choosing representatives. Belizeans dah noh a people weh back off from the representatives. When the time come, Belizeans will step up.”
Marion Ali
“And you think it will be early this year?”
Citizen #6
“I think so. I guess somewhere inna February, March. I guess it will be before the City Council elections.”
Marion Ali
“Why?”
Citizen #6
“Because usually if you call the City Council elections before the general elections and you lose, you know that dah the guideline fi the general.”
Citizen #7
“I noh feel like it mek sense fu call it early.”
Marion Ali
“Why?”
Citizen #7
“Because lot a people noh mek up them mind yet. If they tek a longer time, they could more mek up their mind and see weh the happen.”
Marion Ali
“So you think they should do it after the City Council and Town Board?”
Citizen #7
“Definite. Definite. Whether dah red or blue or who, just do it the right time and I think the right time dah way round March.”
Citizen #8
“If they call early elections I would believe maybe something is up.”
Marion Ali
“But you’re ready to vote, right?”
Citizen #8
“At all times.”
Citizen #9
“Well if they call early elections they know when they call early election the last time weh happen. So they just supposed to tek example from that. If they feel like do that again and hambug (mess up) demself dah their business that; me noh deh with then pan that. The time weh it supposed to be that dah the time when it supposed to be, every five years.”
Marion Ali
“Weh I feel bout one early election?”
Citizen #10
“I think that would good fi the country, cause then you would have a new start and one new beginning. Fi one early election, more money would spend, one new budget. Whosoever win would just got his budget set and Belize would be prosperous I believe.”
Marion Ali
“You think the government done do its job?”
Citizen #10
“Well yes, he done complete fu he fifteen thousand this and ten thousand that. See tourism bright up and everything blooming. Mek we try somebody else and see what would happen.”
Citizen #11
“Better you get it over with and done. I think it would be better for an early election and to find out exactly what’s gonna happen.”
Marion Ali
“What month you think would be the best?”
Citizen #11
“Anywhere February to March that’s good time.”
Viewers are reminded that while all the signs may point to an early election, no such decision has been announced by the Prime Minister.
