The UDP has always had an uneasy, often contentious relationship with former Chief Elections Officer now de-facto Elections Office Coordinator Myrtle Palacio. But now that relationship is openly hostile and in a release today, the Opposition is calling on her to excuse herself from the electoral process.
The call comes after the UDP obtained emails between the Prime Minister, his son Yasser and Palacio discussing the electoral process in the Belize Rural North constituency. The UDP says it shows that Palacio is in collusion with the PUP's campaign machinery – and makes it clear that she is not neutral.
Our expectation is that the call will be ignored. Palacio who had moved on from the election office to the Governance Office – was forced to return in what we gather is a coordinating capacity after acting Chief Elections Officer Dorothy Bradley left the job – some say she was forced out – in September of last year. Current Chief Ruth Meighan was appointed in October.
