Belmopan’s Belisle is Back for Another Term

The nation’s capital Belmopan provided less political drama than other municipalities and therefore an expected result. The United Democratic Party and incumbent Khalid Belisle earned a comfortable victory over their People’s United Party rivals and the Belize Progressive Party. News Five’s Aaron Humes has the highlights.

Aaron Humes, Reporting

In Belmopan, it was all about Mayor Khalid Belisle trying to hold off a slew of challengers and return the United Democratic Party for another term in a city it has held since 2006.

Khalid Belisle, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan

“We always want to try and get a first push right out of the gate; as many voters as who are willing to support us, not afraid to show their colors to meet us early in the morning, walk over to the polling station with us, get that voting over with and thereafter spend the rest of the day trying to get our other supporters out to the polls – those who need assistance with transportation and so on. And so now we just keep pushing, trying to get those voters who indicated they would support us out to the polls, and keep working until six o’clock when the last voter hits the line.”

Belisle faced competition from Tanya Santos of the P.U.P. and Charles Leslie of the B.P.P.

Charles Leslie

Charles Leslie, B.P.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan

“A lot of people have reached out to us, to my surprise. As an alternative party outside the two-party establishment people don’t usually reach out to us. But this campaign, I was surprised to find people reaching out to us. People have come to my business, people have come to my home, people have called me, messaged me on Facebook, saying ‘Mr. Leslie, we understand what you guys are trying to do when you guys say you are trying to change the system. And we like hearing that and we are gonna give you guys a chance.’ And we are confident that today the people will give us a chance.”

Joining incumbent area representative John Saldivar on the ground was Prime Minister and U.D.P. leader Dean Barrow, who had been in Dangriga earlier and would later head out west to Cayo. The P.M. compared the voter turnout he had seen in the Culture Capital earlier with the scenario in the nation’s capital.

John Saldivar

John Saldivar, Area Rep., Belmopan

“That’s why we have basically come out here and declared victory.”

Reporter

“So to what do you attribute this victory today?”

John Saldivar

“Hard work, delivering for the people of Belmopan. It’s a good feeling to know that people recognize good work. And that’s what it’s all about – I guess people have been craving a government and a City Council that delivers, and we have delivered for Belmopan and I think that has shown. So it’s a credit to the people of Belmopan.”

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“In Dangriga, I don’t think the voting is quite as brisk as it is here; it’s coming along. But here in Belmopan, obviously, there is a sea of red; our voters are flocking [to] the polls very early on. I think we have made a statement from since the start, very soon in the morning, and there is no reason why it wouldn’t continue in that same vein. So I think you’re looking at the once and future Mayor.”

And so said, so done: it was Belisle whom Belmopanese favored according to returning officer Benedict Palacio.

Benedict Palacio

Benedict Palacio, Returning Officer, Belmopan

“Khalid Lester Belisle, three thousand two hundred and ninety-eight; Jacklyn J. Burns, three thousand, three hundred and twenty-seven; Paul Tio Chun, two thousand nine hundred and ninety-two; Isidoro Philip Galvez, three thousand [and] fifty-three; Jem Eleanor Pascacio, three thousand, one hundred and ninety; Angel Amado Pastrana, three thousand, one hundred and ten; Louise Geraldine Willis, three thousand, two hundred and fifteen. Tanya Santos, two thousand, three hundred and fifty-five; Hope Amadi, two thousand, three hundred and sixty-two; Sanie Cal, two thousand, three hundred and forty-six; Brian Mira, two thousand, four hundred and ninety-seven; Rocio Quiroz, two thousand three hundred and thirty-nine; Cesar Ross, two thousand, four hundred and sixty-six; John Bernard Wade, two thousand, two hundred and forty-eight. Charles Beresford Leslie, ninety-eight; Hipolito Ignacio Bautista, one hundred and seventy-seven; Robinson Crusoe, Jr., two hundred and eight; Farah Diva Ken, one hundred and seventy-two; Samuel Charles Salter, one hundred and five; Richard Albert Smith, two hundred and ninety-two.”

Aaron Humes reporting for News Five.