Elections were held in 39 villages this weekend, and again, the UDP is claiming a decisive victory – while the PUP has made no claims. Of the 39 villages – UDP won in 24 of them, while independents and the opposition split the other 15. A UDP release says the PUP won only 8, while independents won 7.
Our figures say the PUP won 12 and the independents 3. Either way, it's a thrashing for the PUP – which performed especially poorly on Corozal Southeast where they lost all 7 seats in the village of Calcutta – a village that had been PUP as far back as can be recalled.
In Southeast the UDP also won the village of Carolina, which the PUP formerly controlled. The UDP also won in La Democracia and Gales Point – which was PUP controlled. The UDP is also claming inroads in Burrell Boom, which was formerly a PUP controlled village, and the UDP now has the chairman along with two councilors. The new chairman Paul Bradley spoke to us late last night:
Paul Bradley, Newly Elected Village Council Chairman, Burrell Boom Village,
"When the flood, I was rescuing the cattle and hosting at my farm and stuff. I believe that, you know, whatever you give, there is a God above, looking at you. Yes, the rescue and stuff is still in the mind but I never use that as a weapon or anything for this election. The people do remember and they have mentioned it. What I have done over the past year for the village I guess nobody has ever done for it."
"Actually, I never really make up my mind until in this week to run for the Chairmanship and work for the government. I think, with the backing of the government, we should do a very good job out here in Burrell Boom. My main object is to keep the village clean. We have a very heavy garbage problem, which will be one of the first things to be addressed."
The UDP continued to perform poorly in Stan Creek West, where they won two out of five villages. Our figures show that in the elections so far with 86 villages having held elections, the UDP has garnered control of about 50% while the PUP has gained control of only 36% and independents, 15%.
