P.U.P. Pickstock mad about polling station change
Francis Smith
P.U.P. Pickstock Standard Bearer, Dr. Francis Smith, expressed outrage earlier today over changes in polling stations in the constituency for the March seventh general elections. According to Smith, voters previously polled at the Belize Technical College, now the ITVET Building on Freetown Road and the Belize City Center. Following the conclusion of a national re-districting exercise in 2005, Pickstock, arguably the smallest constituency in the country, was extended across Haulover Creek into parts of what was once Lake Independence. Since the 2008 General Elections the number of registered voters in Pickstock has increased to three thousand, two hundred. On March seventh, those voters will utilize St. Luke’s Methodist School, the only polling station for that area as agreed by the Elections & Boundaries Commission. Smith says the Pickstock is the only constituency with one polling station and bussing constituents across town to participate in the dual elections will pose an inconvenience that will unfavorably affect voter turnout. He accused the Election and Boundaries office and the incumbent, Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington of blatant collusion.
Francis Smith, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Pickstock
“The people of Pickstock North Side, Polling Area Six, are accustomed to voting on that side at what was previously known as the Belize Technical College. So although I’ve been doing quite a lot of work trying to inform them that there is now only one polling station I am a bit alarmed by the protest that people don’t want to be inconvenienced. They are insisting that there be a polling area on North Side and I think that is reasonable, especially at this time where skepticism seems to be at an all-time high and they’re predicting a low voter turnout. I believe that the Elections & Boundaries Department should be professional and their job is to make sure democracy remains alive and healthy in Belize. From New Road or North Front Street all the way to Mahogany Street is a bit unreasonable.”
Isani Cayetano
“Do you feel as though this would adversely affect the turnout of voting on your behalf on March seventh?”
Francis Smith
“I believe so. It’s all about convenience for the voters. I decided to do this because at first I thought well it’s no big deal, people can take a bit of inconvenience but again I am doing this because there is a lot of protesting from the North Side. People are accustomed to going to the Belize Technical College and they are pointing out that there are places like the Central Assembly of [God], the Christian school on the North Side, or the church that’s on Cran Street and Mapp. There’s also a place there that we could use.”
Isani Cayetano
“Have you taken this concern to the Elections & Boundaries Department and have they responded to this particular issue?”
Francis Smith
“I have. I called the Returning Officer Ms. Icilda Humes and she referred me to Ms. Tamai, who was not in office, so I spoke to Mr. Francisco Zuniga and he has promised that he would take the matter up and then as soon as they make a decision they would give me a reply.”
The UDP and the Elections committee trying to steal the elections, trying every little trick. after punishing the people from Pickstock for foouur looonngg years.. Remember SEDI is the minister who said we have no borders with Guatemala, he said his salary six thousand dollars is a pittance. he said he is in favor of arresting and jailing the BDF for protecting our borders. Vote against arrogance people, vote for change… support Dr Francis Smith.
The UDP will try every little dirty trick to try and sabotage this election. Instead of finding every single way to twist the system, they should have figured out a way to improve the standard of living in Belize. One more week to liberation. Rise up my Belizean people. Reject Dean Barrow and his corrupted UDP Administration. A new day has arrived…there is hope with the PUP!!!!
The UDP will try every little dirty trick to try and sabotage this election. Instead of finding every single way to twist the system, they should have figured out a way to improve the standard of living in Belize. One more week to liberation. Rise up my Belizean people. Reject Dean Barrow and his corrupted UDP Administration. A new day has arrived…there is hope with the PUP!
I NO UNDERSTAND DA NO DEAN BORROW CALL FOR ELECTION ! NO! DA DI
PUP NOW THEY PLAYING LIKE IDOTS AND SAYING WHY DEAN BORROW CALL ELECTION.. THEM MI WANT ELECTION EARLY SO THEY GOT WHAT THEM WANT S O
THE MINISTER IS DOING IS JOB …..SATISFYING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUITY…
@Suzy…u can make a dumb man blush! Did you even understand the news report???? This has nothing to do with your comment. Of course the PUP called for early elections, but Barrow only announced early election because he knows his UDP ship is sinking and under his watch next year will be worse. The point is that they want to sabotage the election, but we urge the Belizean people to make the sacrifice and come out and vote where ever your polling stations are. Lets said a message to the UDP. WE HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH AND YOUR DICTATOR DAYS ARE OVER MR. BARROW. BETTER WILL COME WITH THE PUP!!!!
@Suzy…u can make a dumb man blush! Did you even understand the news report???? This has nothing to do with your comment. Of course the PUP called for early elections, but Barrow only announced early election because he knows his UDP ship is sinking and under his watch next year will be worse. The point is that they want to sabotage the election, but we urge the Belizean people to make the sacrifice and come out and vote where ever your polling stations are. Lets said a message to the UDP. WE HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH AND YOUR DICTATOR DAYS ARE OVER MR. BARROW. BETTER WILL COME WITH THE PUP!!!!!!!
Do good by the people and they will remember and vote for you every time! None of this deceptive crap would be necessary to win an election!
There is something funny about a GEOGRAPHICALLY SPLIT ELECTORIAL REGION. if you cannot draw a line around the entire ELECTORIAL area, MAYBE THAT SECTION NEEDS TO BE ABSORBED BY THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
Pick stock in Lake Independence just does not work… GERIMANDERING AT ITS WORSE.
i guess that the PUP cant take the fact that they know they will loose so they find the itty bitty excuse of pettyness to pick on . Such shame !!! i mean come do u think that cuz the polling station change ppl wont come out to vote. that is plain insecurity. listen if ppl want a change they will come out to vote, an more over how is it that ppl are use to voting at one set place please its not like its ur home ur r use to . elections are every five years so please stop making up excuses.
u want ur voters out there get up an transport them …. plain an simple