…but lamppost ads are still an issue.

The controversy over political signs was not limited to the now famous billboard on Freetown Road. Earlier this year Belize Electricity Limited put the politicians on notice that due to safety concerns they would no longer permit the placing of any signs on their lampposts. But tonight the United Democratic Party is crying foul, saying that if they comply with B.E.L.’s request the other side must do the same.

Doug Singh, Chairman, UDP
“If you would go into Ladyville, Belize Rural Central, you would see Ralph Fonseca’s banners all over the post nailed up with wood and nails et cetera. Mr. Fonseca is the head of the utilities, is the minister in charge of the utilities and is the minister in charge of police. I would really want to challenge B.E.L. to start to take the action they need to take and the commitments they need to take. If they fail to do so I don’t think anybody else will respect what they are asking us to do. Putting up signs is a part of a process, a political process and while I respect B.E.L.’s need to ensure safety I think there should have been more of a compromise. Having said that, I think for the minister in charge of utilities and the minister in charge of police to take the first action to just cover the posts in defiance of B.E.L.’s rules I think certainly speaks volumes and sends an incredible message.”

When News Five contacted B.E.L. Public Relations exec, Dawn Sampson, she told us that they will be removing any signs placed on their lampposts and will also be covering the painted-on political messages with a neutral colour. Sampson says that in the first instance they ask the perpetrators to remove the signs and if they fail to do so after an agreed grace period, a B.E.L. contractor does the job and B.E.L. sends a bill to the political parties.