I believe in positive things and until the end of the results and at the end of the counting. But at this time I am very positive about the elections for the U.D.P.

Austin Waight, Councilor Candidate, P.U.P.

“Yes, I feel very confident today. As you can see there is a lot of blue T-shirts out here. We are picking up our voters one by one and they are coming out.”

Deon Lind, Councilor Candidate, U.D.P.

“Basically I must say that I am committed to helping rehabilitate the city. As we said it’s rehabilitate, dedicate and liberate. We are hoping that the people are serious about what they want and in turn we will be serious about what we are offering.”

Yasmin Shoman, Councilor Candidate, P.U.P.

“I feel pretty good. The people have been giving us a lot of support and with God’s willing we will deliver all eleven so we could big up the city and improve it.”

However, the U.D.P.’s Myrna Manzanares was disturbed by the low turnout by noon.

Myrna Manzanares, Councilor Candidate, U.D.P.

“Girl, it’s low; it’s low. I suppose up to now we should have more. People did say they would have to think about it if they come out and we have encouraged them to come out and vote.”

The P.U.P.’s Austin Waight said even if the P.U.P. does not take all the seats, he believes whoever constitutes the new City Council will work for the people.

Q: “Let’s say that there is a split vote: say six P.U.P. and five U.D.P. are you still willing to work along with that?”

Austin Waight

“Certainly, because it’s for the people of Belize City. It doesn’t matter who we have to work with; we just have to make the right choices so that we have a better city at the end of the day.”

David Fonseca, who had already been Mayor and served as councilor this past term says the commitment is there and he feels the voters will give the P.U.P. the chance to continue developing the city.

David Fonseca, Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P.

“We are committed. We intend to stay committed and as long as we are in office we will be committed. Definitely the P.U.P. eleven will be in City Hall come tonight.”

The Prime Minister Said Musa also expressed optimism. He cautioned, however, that even though he believes they are the best team, the P.U.P. can’t be sure of a victory until the final ballot has been counted.

Q: “Do you think the P.U.P. eleven will be successful in this election after tonight?”

Said Musa, Prime Minister

“I do.”

Q: “Why?”

Said Musa

“Because we are the only party who brought the issues clearly to the people. We have the best candidates; we have the better manifesto. I also believe that the people are suffering campaign fatigue. They want to see national unity. They want to see that we can work together as one people for the benefit of the city and the country. And with a P.U.P. City Council and a P.U.P. central government this will move forward.

I am very confident, but of course one should never count his chicken before it is hatched. But despite that I feel very confident that it will be a P.U.P. victory.”

Hyacinth Latchman for News Five.

Later in this newscast, we will be going live to the City Centre where the ballots are now being taken for counting.