Is John Saldivar Eligible to Run for Public Office?

The eligibility of John Saldivar as a candidate for the United Democratic Party has been called into question by party leader Patrick Faber.  He is on record stating that special permission would have to be granted by the National Party Council to allow the former area rep to run for office in the next general election.  So why is Saldivar still contesting the post of caretaker for Belmopan?  Chairman Mike Peyrefitte explains.

On the Phone: Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, United Democratic Party

“Well there is nothing in the constitution of the party that says that the honorable John Saldivar cannot run for a caretaker position within the party.  He certainly can do so.  He can even run for a standard bearer’s position; however, the rules are clear.  If an individual has lost three or more general elections then the National Party Council would have to approve that person as a candidate, notwithstanding the fact that the person may be elected as the caretaker or even the standard bearer in the not-too-distant future.  Well it’s the party’s constituencies that determine pretty much, as long as there’s proper notice given to everybody when to have a convention.  So we had had no indication before this that there was going to be any issue with the convention being held on March fifteenth.  So all we have to do now is to make sure that we look at that letter carefully from the Ministry of Health and determine whether or not it is in the best interest of everybody’s health to go ahead with that venture.  We want to have these things in place so that the party can continue to rebuild but at the same time we have to be cognizant of this COVID situation that’s gripping the country.”