Politics in Bz.: Candidates for the 2003 elections
In the coming months, Belizeans across the country can expect a deluge of political propaganda as the various parties herald their candidates. But in the sea of faces, it would be easy to confuse who is running for which party and in which constituency. Tonight, we introduce each of the fifty-eight politicians from the United Democratic Party and People’s United Party, who are expected to vie for public office in the next general elections. News 5’s Janelle Chanona has the list.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
We begin in the north. In the Corozal Bay division, UDP’s candidate Carlos Castillo will face off with Vildo Marin of the PUP.
In Corozal North, PUP’s Valdemar Castillo will run against Nemencio Acosta of the UDP.
Corozal Southwest constituents will vote for either Gabriel Martinez on the UDP ticket or the PUP’s Gregorio Garcia.
In Corozal Southeast, in the blue corner it’s Florencio Marin while in the red, it’s Servando Samos.
The ballot papers in the Orange Walk North division, have the UDP’s Phillip de la Fuente against the PUP’s Servulo Baeza.
In Orange Walk Central, John Briceño of the PUP is running against Miguel Urbina representing the UDP.
Orange Walk East residents will chose between the UDP’s Elodio Aragon or PUP’s Dave Burgos.
The choices for area representative in Orange Walk South include Ismael Cal from the PUP and UDP’s Julian Padron.
In Belize Rural North, PUP’s Maxwell Samuels will go up against UDP’s Felix Sutherland.
In the Belize Rural Central division, UDP candidate Colin Gillett is set to compete with PUP’s Ralph Fonseca for votes.
In Belize Rural South, Patty Arceo will lead the PUP’s charge against UDP’s Manuel Heredia.
Residents in Cayo North will decide whether to elect Ainslee Leslie of the PUP or Dean Williams from the UDP.
In Cayo Central, the Xs will either go Rene Montero on the UDP ticket or to Daniel Silva of the PUP.
In Cayo West, PUP Kendall Mendez will square off with UDP man Erwin Contreras.
In Cayo South, it’s John Saldivar from the UDP facing off with PUP’s Agropino Cawich.
In Dangriga, Sylvia Flores is running blue, while Russell Garcia is in it for the red.
In Stann Creek West, UDP’s Duncan McPherson has yet to find out whom he will compete against as the spot vacated by PUP Henry Canton has yet to filled.
In Toledo East, Peter Eden Martinez of the UDP will battle for ballots against the PUP’s Mike Espat.
In Toledo West, PUP candidate Marcial Mes is set to meet the UDP’s Dennis Usher.
Entering Belize City limits, in Freetown, UDP’s Douglas Singh will compete for votes against PUP’s Jorge Espat.
In Fort George, PUP Party Leader Said Musa is campaigning to beat UDP aspirant Carlos Walker.
In the Pickstock Division, UDP Diane Haylock is slated to run against PUP standard bearer Godfrey Smith.
In the Caribbean Shores Division, Jose Coye is representing the blue, while Oscar Ayuso is all for red.
In Lake Independence, both Louis Anthony Leslie with UDP and Cordel Hyde from the PUP have their eyes on the area rep. seat.
In Port Loyola, PUP’s Dolores Balderamos Garcia is gearing up to face off with UDP’s Anthony “Boots” Martinez.
In Albert, incumbent Mark Espat of the PUP will compete against the UDP’s Sidney Fuller.
For Collet constituents, the choice is either UDP’s Patrick Faber or PUP’s Remijio Montejo.
In Mesopotamia, PUP’s Phillip Brackett will bid to beat UDP’s Michael Finnegan.
And in Queen’s Square, UDP Leader Dean Barrow and PUP’s Richard “Dickie” Bradley will vie for votes.
Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.
Viewers are reminded that even though these men and women are presently the official candidates for the elections, the faces can change prior to voting day.
