And the PUP today held a press conference to seize upon the public concern surrounding the pre-election naturalization and registration rush.
The party also has some ground to make up because the registration rush is being led by the UDP - which means that party will have more names on the list come Election Day.
Former leader John Briceno chaired the press conference while communications director Lisa Shoman says, what she calls, "instant citizenship" should boil everyone's blood:
Hon. Lisa Shoman - Communications Director, PUP
"This is something that should make every single Belizean's blood boil - red, blue, green, yellow, orange - it doesn't matter. This is an issue of illegalities that are taking place and widespread, mass instant citizenships that are occurring."
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia - PUP Standard Bearer, Belize Rural Central
"Now, I am very reliably informed - and we are absolutely satisfied - that immigration officers and government officials are being coerced to participate in these irregular activities. We also know, for example, that the police records are costing the persons $50, but then, if you apply for a police record on a Saturday, and you are being granted the nationality today or tomorrow, what kind of vetting or background checks can actually be done? So you can see, it is plain to be seen the illegality of what is happening. This is absolutely unprecedented. So I would like to disabuse the public of the notion that the PUP was doing the same thing. Absolutely - and I say categorically - The People's United Party has never - and we will never - carry on this kind of instant nationalization."
Jose Sanchez - Channel 5 News
"How do you respond to the criticism that there is some hypocrisy in it, being that in January 2008, couple months before general elections, 1300 - 1600 Central Americans also went through a very swift process at the George Price in Belmopan."
Hon. John Briceno - Immediate Past Party Leader
"Well, I would like to point out that that is not true that they went through a swift process because I remember many of our colleagues in frustration saying that this was just taking far too long. So, what is being done today has never happened before."
Jules Vasquez
"This is what happens at election time, whether we like it or loathe it, so to say that it has never happened before under the PUP is being disingenuous."
Hon. John Briceno
"Respectfully, Jules, this is where you are totally wrong, and as I said before that it has happened by previous different governments. All governments have done it, but what is happening today, where they're doing it in such a - they're taking all these shortcuts, and they are doing it so quickly. In just a week or two, people are getting their nationalities. That did not happen in 2008, sir. I am telling you that what is happening right now, that the people who are getting their nationalities - that is most of them - are getting it in a week or two. I have people who have come to me who are telling me that they've just applied and they've gotten it without having to go through all the process that they have to do. That is what we are saying is of concern to us as a party."
Jules Vasquez
"Everybody is saying that 'we have been here for 20 years, 10 years, 6 years. We don't come because of the money.' All these things happen. I'm saying where is the hard evidence other than the notion? I've spoken to some of them."
Lisa Shoman
"So have we, Jules, if you will allow, part of the issue is that people are very afraid to come out and either call names or point fingers."
Dolores Balderamos Garcia
"We want to assure you that nothing like this is going to happen under a government of the People's United Party. We have already spoken about a fixed term of government, and we will make proposals within our party, and will also be promulgated out to the public that a cut-off day will be made for the obtaining of citizenship, so that there can be absolute transparency, and that this kind of thing will not happen."
The PUP also discussed the Social Security Mortgage Forgiveness program - and said that the list which was circulated to House Members by the Government shows that undeserving persons benefitted:..
Hon. Lisa Shoman
"We demanded in the Senate, and we demand again the names of all those SSB staffers that have been accommodated under this program - including ex -staff members, current and past board members, those who have blood relatives and/or spouses that have been that have accommodated on this list. Drill down into the list, ladies and gentlemen, and you're going to find some very surprising names of some Belizeans who are definitely in a position to pay, and should not be asking tax payers to take up their burdens."
The PUP also called for the removal of the Chair of the Elections and Boundaries Commission because he is too overtly political.
