Corozal Also Goes Blue

We go to Corozal, where after long years of a drought, victory was sweet for the People’s United Party. The team led by Rigo Vellos would go on to reverse a U.D.P. stronghold.  As early as nine o’clock on Wednesday night, the unofficial results were indicating that the Opposition Party had made serious in roads in the northernmost town. Later in the night a win was confirmed. In the face of a loss, the U.D.P. conceded defeat and exited the counting station. News Five’s Duane Moody and Darrel Moguel were on the ground up north.

Duane Moody, Reporting

The wait for the results of the 2018 Municipal Elections began around six-thirty p.m. in Corozal as the seventeen ballot boxes were sealed and transported in white vans from the three polling stations over to the Methodist Primary School Auditorium for counting to begin. By nine p.m., word spread like wildfire from inside the counting station that the People’s United Party was up in ballots from polling station number thirty-nine, considered a stronghold for the United Democratic Party. Half an hour later, the U.D.P. conceded the win to the P.U.P.  As the team exited, headed by Corozal Bay area rep Pablo Marin, several councilor candidates showed great sportsmanship in the face of defeat.

Wilhem Williams

Wilhem Williams, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Corozal Town

“I can testify that it is probably over a hundred and fifty votes.”

Reporter

“So it is a seven P.U.P…”

Wilhem Williams

“They haven’t say it as yet, but practically we can see and that’s the way it goes. We congratulate the P.U.P. for a job well done and we’ll be back some time.”

Carlos Acosta

Carlos Acosta, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Corozal Town

“The people have spoken and there is a change of municipality. The P.U.P. has won and they deserve to win; they were hungry. We will continue to fight. Politics is about fight and serving the people. That’s the game of politics—somebody has to win and somebody has to lose and unfortunately, we are the losers in this round.”

P.U.P. party supporters, including street captains and campaigners would later rush to the gates to greet the new mayor of Corozal and his team.

Rigoberto Vellos

Rigoberto Vellos, Mayor-elect, Corozal Town

“I want to thank God of course for the victory, for all the hard work, for all the strength and patience he gave us. And I want to thank Miser Richie Quan also for putting up a good fight and all the candidates. Thank my campaigners and my supporters and all the voters of Corozal town; thank you to everyone.”

Reporter

“Rigo, can you tell us by a margin of what more or less?”

Rigoberto Vellos

“The last time I checked we were winning by over a hundred votes; that’s for sure.

Reporter

“You can confirm that it is a full P.U.P. slate in Corozal Town?”

Shamir Alpuche

Rigoberto Vellos

“It is definitely a full seven P.U.P. coming in.”

The official numbers were released just before midnight by Elections Clerk, Fulton Palacio confirming that Rigoberto Vellos won the top seat with two thousand seven hundred and forty-nine votes to U.D.P. Richard Quan’s two thousand six hundred and forty-five votes. Topping the polls overall was the P.U.P.’s Shamir Alpuche with three thousand and ten votes.

Fulton Palacio

Fulton Palacio, Elections Clerk

“For mayor, Mister Rigoberto Vellos has won that seat. First Councilor will be Mister Shamir Alpuche; third councilor will be Mister Otoniel Riverol, fourth Councilor Toni Paharsingh. The elections were conducted in a fair and transparent manner. It was peaceful, both parties worked hard and I now congratulate the newly elected Corozal Town Council. [Cheers]”

It was an overwhelming win for the P.U.P. slate, but particularly so for councilor-elect, Dilan Casanova, who was also celebrating his birthday. As the youngest person on the team, he says that he will champion the cause of the youth in Corozal.

Dilan Casanova

Dilan Casanova, Councilor-elect, Corozal Town

“Thank you very much to the Almighty Father, to my family and especially my campaigners. To everyone who believed in us, thank you very much. Thank you Corozal; this young boy won’t let you guys down.”

Dr. Toni Paharsingh Jimenez, Councilor-elect, Corozal Town

“Our people, we could see the sincerity in them and they were stuck with us to the very end and that will be our motivation to deliver every single thing plus more what we promised.”

Toni Paharsingh Jimenez

Reporter

“So as of when we’ll be seeing you in office?”

Dr. Toni Paharsingh Jimenez

“Tomorrow eight o’clock bright and early.”

Duane Moody for News Five.