Will Orange Walk South be Split in Two? Area Rep Reacts

As we’ve been reporting, the Elections and Boundaries Commission will present a final recommendation for the redistricting exercise to cabinet on July fourteenth. At this stage, the major political parties are reviewing the proposed changes.  We understand that there will be two additional seats, following the redrawing of boundaries for several constituencies. There are reports that Orange Walk South, which consists of twelve villages and communities, will be split to create an Orange Walk South East division. Today, we asked area representative Jose Abelardo Mai for his comment on this proposal.

Jose Abelardo Mai

Jose Abelardo Mai, Area Representative, Orange Walk South

“That matter is still yet too preliminary to be discussing with the media because there are still a lot of discussions happening at the elections commission. There’s a lot of speculation that they will split one and split two and there will be others. I still believe that this matter will end up in the courts because somebody will take it to the court. So the discussion in my view is still preliminary and I don’t think that we should discuss much about it if we do not know what is yet to happen. I don’t want to pre-empt or to advance any ideas on that matter.”

Duane Moody

“Sir but it has been sent to the different political parties so that they can discuss it and make recommendations because if I am not mistaken, that report should be presented to cabinet on July fourteenth as set out by the process.”

Jose Abelardo Mai

“I speak for me; I don’t speak for my other colleagues. If it is deemed necessary to be constitutionally right that orange walk south needs to be divided, then so be it. I mean whatever they give me I shall take. And whatever I take, I will do my best to be re-elected again. So I don’t see that, in my view, but I cannot speak for my colleagues.”

Reporter

“Sir so you don’t foresee having to re-strategize?”

Jose Abelardo Mai

“Of course. Every election you have to strategize. The strategy from the last elections does not necessarily work in the next election. So you have to plan, you have to get your numbers together. Nothing changes, except that you have to do your due diligence if you want to win.”