Death of Cawich means election in 90 days

The untimely death of Pino Cawich, aside from bringing grief to family and friends, has also created a political vacuum. Under the constitution a by-election must be called within three months of the vacancy, which would mean an approximate deadline of November eighth. While neither party is in any mood to crank up the political machinery, which has been enjoying a well deserved rest since March fifth, both will be forced to campaign as if their future depended on it. While the result cannot change the nation’s political complexion, a U.D.P. victory would prevent the ruling P.U.P. from mustering the three-quarter majority needed to pass a constitutional amendment. The 2003 race in Cayo South was extremely close, with Cawich edging out the U.D.P.’s John Saldivar three thousand, one hundred and eleven to three thousand eighty-seven, a margin of only twenty-four votes. When contacted this afternoon, Saldivar, who is currently working in Independence Village, told News 5 that he will be running and would begin full time campaigning on Saturday. On the P.U.P. side, a number of names have been mentioned. Conventional wisdom is that Belmopan Mayor Tony Chanona can have the nomination if he wants it…but in the past Chanona has shied away from national office, preferring to focus his considerable energy on the rapidly expanding Garden City. But whoever runs for the P.U.P., the clear message to voters will be that an opposition representative can bring no practical benefits to Cayo South, while a vote for the ruling party can and will bring plenty. The U.D.P. will counter with an appeal to strengthen democracy by sending a clear message to Belmopan that Belize is not a one party state and government must clean up its act.