U.D.P. Candidates Make it Official on Nomination Day in the West!
We turn to the U.D.P.’s nominations which were held at two this afternoon. The political fanfare was missing, but the candidates we spoke with were spirited and hopeful about going to the polls next month. News Five’s Andrea Polanco reports.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
The nominations for the U.D.P. candidates were held in the afternoon. The U.D.P.’s Rene Montero is seeking a fourth term in Cayo Central. He was accompanied by his nominators, family and other supporters when he went in to be nominated at the Santa Elena Primary RC School. When he exited the nomination center, Montero told us that fifteen years later, he still gets excited about nomination day.
Rene Montero
Rene Montero, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo Central
“I am very excited because this is the fourth time I am representing Cayo Central. It is all about improving the lives of people; continue the work that I have started; continue the transformation in Santa Elena in terms of bridging the gaps between the haves and have-nots. This is all about creating employment; creating an environment whereby our people will improve their lives in terms of education, health, job creation, tourism and agriculture.”
Over at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium, John August was nominated as the Standard Bearer for the U.D.P. in the Cayo North East Division. He says that while this is his second time contesting the Cayo North East seat and was unsuccessful the first attempt – he is confident this time around.
John August
John August, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo North East
“To be quite honest, this is quite a different election from what I have been accustomed to due to the COVID situation that is affecting the entire country of Belize. As you can see, our nomination today was without any kind of fanfare but overall the election is going quite good. The response I have received visiting people in their homes has been quite excellent.”
Omar Figueroa
Omar Figueroa, the incumbent in Cayo North was also nominated today as the U.D.P.’s Standard Bearer. Figueroa didn’t respond to our calls and messages for a request for an interview. In the 2020 elections next month, Figueroa will go up against the P.U.P.’s Michel Chebat for the Cayo North seat. Erwin Contreras is the incumbent in Cayo West. Today he was nominated as the U.D.P. Standard bearer in that division. Contreras had agreed to an interview – regrettably due to time constraints we were not able to attend his nomination. Contreras will face the P.U.P.’s Jorge Espat at the polls in next month’s elections for the Cayo West division. In the Cayo North East Division, U.D.P.’s John August will contest the elections against Orlando Habet of the P.U.P. and Nancy Marin of the Belize People’s Front. In Cayo Central Rene Montero of the U.D.P. will go up against the P.U.P.’s Alex Balona. Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
