Political parties sign on to code of conduct…
We’ve seen them acting less than gentlemanly in the past but this morning representatives of the two major political parties, along with their aspiring brethren, were all on their best behaviour. News Five’s Kendra Griffith explains this strange occurrence…and why it is not likely to last.
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
This morning representatives of the PUP, UDP, NRP, NBA, and VIP gathered in the Royal Room of the Princess Hotel. The politicians were brought together by the Police Department because of this document, the Agreement and Declaration on Political Conduct: General Elections – 2008.
Maureen Leslie, Acting Commissioner of Police
“This document was passed to all the political parties and this morning after various amendments and suggestions and adjustments, we have agreed to do this signing.”
According to Acting Commissioner of Police, Maureen Leslie, the document is a “gentleman’s agreement” which sets out codes of conduct on public utterances, freedom of access for campaigners, safety of public and private property, application for permits, avoiding confrontation, and of course non-violence and non-intimidation.
Maureen Leslie
“No persons shall engage in or adopt or otherwise encourage any form of violence or intimidation in their political activities. We are saying there should be no procurement of distribution of weapons or ammunition of any sort for use in political activities, no threats of violence or intimidation whatsoever.”
With Senator Godwin Hulse and National President of the JP Association, Danny Madrid, looking on the politicians put pen to paper.
Erwin X, Rep., Vision Inspired by the People
“What we are trying to do is to show our people that as leaders we are dedicated to transparency, to freedom, justice and equality and we want security and safety for all Belizeans leading up into elections and it is out duty and it is our mandate as leaders to set the right example. The law says the best gift you could be to anyone is a good example”
Doug Singh, Chairman, UDP
“We think that it’s a gallant effort on the side of the police that’s why we agreed to all of their conditions in the onset.”
Estevan Bejerano, Campaign Mgr., Nation Reform Party
“This is very good for the country. It shows that we are in unity and we will function under democracy.”
Richard Smith, Rep., National Belizean Alliance
“We agree that we should support a peaceful election, the respect of every Belizean and to ensure that we are not encouraging any form of violence.”
Henry Usher, Secretary General, PUP
“We see it as a mature step in the right direction when it comes to political elections in this country. The reason we are signing it as a party is because we have always advocated for political non-violence, always advocated for non-intimidation. When it comes to elections we have always tried to maintain peace and order.”
There is no denying that as the elections draw nearer pressure on all political fronts will increase. That tension was on display in November when the two major parties clashed over a sign and is apparent in the ads currently airing on TV.
Henry Usher
“There’s one thing in doing campaigns on television or in the newspaper or other print media and another thing when it comes to election day and you are intimidating your opponents, you are tearing down opponent’s signs and we have never done that. We have had that happen to use, but we have never done that.”
Doug Singh
“The United Democratic Party’s political ads, while they have seemed pretty negative, have been telling nothing but the truth. It’s been talking about the People’s United Party record. The People’s United Party have been really just making broad based negative statements, which is certainly not what we agree with but we’ll let the public decide at the end of the day.”
When that day finally arrives, Belizeans will find themselves with more options than ever because according of the numerous “third parties” entering the political race. And while they may not be advertising, they say they certainly are campaigning … even amongst themselves.
Erwin X
“We just returned from Punta Gorda, San Antonio and San Pedro, Colombia and out people are overwhelmed. People are looking for a viable solution outside of the PUP and the UDP administrations. Our people are now calling for new vibrant and dynamic leadership and that is the reason we are present and we are moving forward to take Belize in a new direction with a group of people that that are committed.”
Kendra Griffith
“How many candidates will you all be fielding?
Erwin X
“Well right now we are working on an alliance with We the People and with the PNP party along with other supporting bodies that would want to see coalition.”
Richard Smith
“We are in a system where it’s either one of the other, red or blue. We saying the time has come that we need to look otherwise. So we are canvassing all the third parties to establish a core team to bring back Belizean right as a priority and if that could happen, that’s what we are shooting for.”
Estevan Bejerano
“Our intention is to establish all thirty-one constituents, but with the crunch down coming down, financial setbacks and all these things, we are focussing a lot in areas where we have predicted to be very strong. So if the NRP can put three of four people into the house, I believe we have changed the whole image of politics in Belize, so we are focussing a lot of our energy in the west and in the north right now.”
That focus on strategy also applies to the police.
Maureen Leslie
“We have started our preparation a long time ago because we knew it was coming up and so we are preparing our resources and the likes and as soon as we get a date then we’ll know what else need to be done. The formations are prepared, headquarters we are on track with everything else, so we are ready.”
Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
