Coye wins nomination in Caribbean Shores

The People’s United Party continued to select candidates for the next general election, which will likely not be held for another two and a half years. The most hotly contested convention was held on Sunday in the Caribbean Shores constituency in Belize City. When all nine hundred and ninety-nine votes were counted, incumbent representative and Minister of Health Jose Coye emerged as the winner with six hundred and eighty-three. Runner up Austin Waight followed with one hundred and ninety-seven, Merilyn Young eighty-eight and Rosalie Staines twenty. In the two other conventions held on Sunday, Dolores Balderamos Garcia was nominated without opposition in Port Loyola, while Dave Burgos was similarly elected in Orange Walk East. Last week Jorge Espat we renominated unopposed in Freetown and his brother Mark did the same in Albert. The PUP will select all twenty-nine standard bearers by September thirtieth. The UDP will begin its selection process shortly.

In case any viewers are considering whether or not to contest a future convention, the PUP secretariat has informed us of the requirements for the job. The prospective candidate must deliver his or her completed application to the secretary general at least three weeks prior to the convention and be available for an interview with the Central Executive. That body will then approve or disapprove a candidacy based on the best interests of the party and the suitability of the candidate. The qualities used to determine suitability include loyalty to the party, honesty, character, reputation, work ethic and commitment to the party’s philosophy. The UDP secretary general, Philipa Griffith Bailey, told News 5 that her party was still in the process of formulating a new set of guidelines which will be implemented for the upcoming set of conventions. The first UDP standard bearer will be selected on March twenty-fifth in Caribbean Shores.