“Dido” Vega Wins the Bay; Pablo Marin Retires from Politics
The Corozal District has four seats, in the previous election it went three to one but with a blue wave sweeping across the country, the People’s United Party was able to make huge inroads. In the Bay, the incumbent strong man, Pablo Marin is hanging up his political hat. The former area rep for three consecutive terms, who has held the Ministry of Health portfolio, is riding into the sunset. He took a pounding from David “Dido” Vega, losing by four hundred and eight votes. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
By as early as seven-thirty p.m., as ballots from polling areas thirty-nine and forty were being counted, the trend was in favour of the then Opposition candidate, David “Dido” Vega and by the time Returning Officer Doyle Flowers made the official announcement, members of the Vega camp were already gathered in celebration.
Doyle Flowers
Doyle Flowers, Returning Officer, Corozal Bay
“Pablo Marin, 1994; Carlos Sawers, 22; David “Dido” Vega, 2402. Going to Belmopan, representing the Corozal Bay officially, Mister David “Dido” Vega.”
Dido Vega defeats U.D.P. incumbent and former Minister of Health, Pablo Marin, by four hundred and eight votes. After signing off on the official document, an overwhelmed Vega, who lost his mother this year, says that the work only now begins.
David “Dido” Vega
David “Dido” Vega, Area Rep., Corozal Bay
“There is nothing to celebrate about. There will be children going to bed tonight that didn’t have something to eat for dinner. There are homes that will get wet when the bad weather comes. There are people that can’t afford a laptop to do their school work. I sincerely believe that the work has just started. Yes we put in work to be elected, but the toughest task ahead is to make sure that the quality of life in our people in Corozal Bay and the entire Belize to be upgraded so we can live happily in a peaceful place. So I feel great.”
Going to the polls, there were various issues that influenced the four thousand, two hundred and thirty-one electors visiting the polling stations and how they cast their votes. Among those issues were joblessness, corruption and the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Voter #1
“It’s the opportunities that we have now under the present government and there have been a lot of changes, a lot of opportunities in terms of jobs and education and all that and I like seeing that.”
Voter #2
“It’s issues because everybody sees how you can help someone or how a party can help you; that’s what motivates you more to come out and vote.”
Voter #3
“Today is a day where we Belizeans can make a difference in the country during these hard times of the COVID-19.”
During his concession speech, prior to the official results being announced, Pablo Marin declared his retirement from electoral politics.
Pablo Marin
Pablo Marin, Former Area Rep., Corozal Bay
“I mentioned in the beginning and I mentioned to my colleagues that this was going to be my last term, win or lose. But we will still be strong. We need to regroup, we need to find the person that will run for the next general [elections]. The people of Corozal Bay did what they did even though I have been working so hard in Corozal Bay. So I really don’t know what the people really want. But my opponent, I wish him the best.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
