Independent Candidate for Cayo North

In the 2012 elections, there is a burst of independent candidates in the political arena. While the polls have been showing that they are not a factor, their numbers have been on the increase. This morning in San Ignacio, Marcel Bedran, a businessman threw his hat in the ring. Bedran will face the incumbent, Salvador Fernandez and the P.U.P. hopeful, Joseph Mahmud. News Five’s Jose Sanchez has this report.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

“Finally There is a Choice” is the campaign slogan for Independent Cayo North Candidate Marcel Bedran. Bedran officially launched his campaign for national office this morning.

Marcel Bedran, BUA, Cayo North

Marcel Bedran

“A unified body of people that are ready to serve this nation. I stand here this morning in front of you as a man with a purpose. My purpose is to serve. The greatest thing that has happened since January third for me is when I started my door to door. We must watch carefully at the example that the Belize Unity Alliance is setting. Just a week ago, there was the P.N.P.: Mister Wil Maheia, Mister Charlie Leslie, Mister Freddy Hunter, Mister Campos. Mister Bobby from the VIP, Marcel from the Independent; the IDP. We merged—all different walks of life. Look at us. But we united; we came together. We are called to unite this country. The two political parties have divided Belize for too long.

Where are we going? We know the direction we are going and that’s why we are here today; to change that direction, to set a new course. We need to offer Belize a fresh start and we are here standing up here today offering up ourselves.”

Wil Maheia

But the morning was reserved for endorsements offered by other third party and independent candidates, who are all unified for change.

Wil Maheia, BUA

“I am so happy to be here today endorsing Marcel Bedran, member of the Belize Unity Alliance. I think that every day that goes; we have twenty-nine more days to election and every day that goes by we become stronger and stronger. And for the people out there who think that we need to get together to fight this government, we got a message for them: we are together; we are called the Belize Unity Alliance so we are together. We have a leader, we have a deputy leader and we are marching on and with the help of the people of this country, we will be victorious on March seventh.”

Charles Leslie, BUA, Stann Creek West

Charles Leslie

“I want to endorse Marcel Cardona, I mean Marcel Bedran under the Belize Unity Alliance. Sorry about that. The reason that pops into my mind is because I admire Marcel Cardona for standing up against his government. And I do hope that I can mention his name soon; that he should join the Belize Unity Alliance.”

Hector Silva

Hector Silva, Endorses Marcel Bedran for Cayo North

“Please do not sell your vote! If you sell your vote, you have been paid for your vote and you have no reason to complain until the next five years. This has caught this country. You got o every village. Go to every village and you will see people are clamoring; where is my rep? What has my rep done for this, for that? And the answer they give them: I paid you with a hundred dollars, I paid you with a cap, I paid you with a shirt so shut up your mouth and wait until the next five years. We don’t want that; we want that nonsense to stop now. And BUA will stop that. I take great pleasure in endorsing all of them especially endorsing Mister Marcel Bedran for the Cayo North Division.”

Marcel Bedran

“The needs of our people are simple. People are not asking for the moon, the stars and the sun. People are asking for help for a little help. People are asking for someone to take the time out and listen. I am pledging to you today; I will be that voice for the voiceless. I have a purpose in my heart and it didn’t start today or last year. I have been walking this walk and I have been praying and I have been asking god when you want me to stand up. The bible says who shall I send? Well here I am. In the book of Isaiah it says arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of god is upon you. Walk with a purpose, ladies and gentlemen. It is the greatest feeling in the world when you are standing in the shows that was planted by god. You will have no regrets, you will have no conviction—you will not write a script; you will speak from your heart. Not one of us wrote a script here for this morning, not one of us.  I want to make a plea to the Cayo North people. Do not be afraid. Vote freely. You have a right to vote. Make a wise choice. There is—as my t-shirt says—finally there is a choice. But it is not just any choice. I look at it as a chosen choice. I look at it as something that has been birthed and it is now manifesting itself in good honest people.”

So on March Seventh, voters can vote for their favorite color or for an independent thinker in Cayo North. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.