U.D.P. Candidate says “everybody has a right to vote”
Elodio Aragon Jr.
We also asked four of Orange Walk’s U.D.P. candidates what they personal think about the government’s ban on COVID-19 patients Generally, most agreed with the Prime Minister, but they also believe that provisions should have been made to allow these persons to vote because as David Zetina of Orange Walk North says, everybody has the right to vote.
Elodio Aragon Jr., U.D.P. Area Rep., OW East
“It is always sad when you can’t vote because that is our constitutional right that is our god given right as a Belizean to be able to go out and vote but we must put the community ahead always. We must put the greater good of the people of this country first and foremost and it is sad. If you have COVID, if you have been tested for COVID and you cannot vote I sympathize with that but the truth is we cannot put the masses of this country at risk. It is a contagious virus and it kills. If there was another way that it could be done then maybe they should look at it but at this point in time the chief elections officer will have to make that call and that is where we are at this point in time.”
Hipolito Novelo
“The Orange Walk district cases of active COVID persons now, in the rural as well. You represent some of these rural areas with COVID persons, some may be your supporters, some may not. Don’t you think that this may affect your chances of winning?”
Elodio Aragon Jr.
“No, not all. I’ve been out there. I know what is the situation.”
Lupe Magana-Dyck
Lupe Magana-Dyck, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, OW South
“It is a though question in this era to say because everyone has a right to vote, it is a very constitutional right by then we have to follow what the health authorities tell us.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Okay, the Prime Minister said so but don’t you believe that would affect your chances of winning because you have COVID positives supporters I image in your rural communities.”
Lupe Magana-Dyck
“Yes we have COVID…we don’t know who they are because in the sense that it is confidential in that issue but maybe what could have been done is have a safe place for them to deposit their ballot.”
Denny Grijalva
Denny Grijalva, U.D.P. Standard Beater, OW Central
“It’s hard when it comes to that topic, or when it comes to that point. It is not easy to answer that question but I can tell you that for me and my team I think it is better for us to take care of our people. The health of our people is what we are concerned about and I believe we have to take measures when it comes to that because it is nothing to play with.”
Hipolito Novelo
“However the argument is that you are stripping Belizeans those eligible to vote from their constitutional right, disallowing them to vote because they are sick is unconstitutional. Don’t you feel that would affect your chances of winning?”
Denny Grijalva
“The good part is that I think we have a high percentage in our voters, in our pledges. We don’t have that much. I don’t think it will hurt us that much.”
David Zetina
David Zetina, U.D.P. Standard Beater, OW North
“It is something that we have to understand it is life before politics. We go with our people, our families first. So we have to do our best and we have to understand the situation.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Essentially though what is happening is you’re stripping away someone’s constitutional right to vote because they are sick. But I think the law says that can only happen if the person is insane. These are persons that may not be symptomatic. How do you respond to that argument that you are taking away their constitutional right to vote?”
David Zetina
“I think that everybody has a right to vote. It is all I can say. Everybody has a right to vote.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Including COVID-19 positive patients?”
David Zetina
“Well I have said, everybody has a right to vote.”
