Tomorrow is nomination day - and it seems that, after all, both major mass parties plan to take it cool and not risk any COVID super-spreading event.
The PUP made it official today that - even though it had made plans for massive motorcades countrywide - it will be backing down in deference to COVID-cautions.
This came after a letter from the Commissioner of Police this morning - who urged Party Leader John Briceno to re-consider.
This is after we asked Compol Williams yesterday - specifically about those large motorcades- and he said it was alright - once adequate measures were observed:
Cherisse Halsall "What are the plans for nomination day when in places like Orange Walk, know that up to 200 vehicles are planning to come out for one standard-bearer."
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police "We will allow them to do certain things, allow them to have their motorcade but at the end of the day, we have discussed the protocols in terms of how they're going to operate. The fact that everybody in the vehicles must wear a mask, the fact that the vehicles must only be allowed to carry passengers based on its legal capacity and when they reach nomination centre the only persons who will be allowed to alight any of the vehicles are going to be the candidate and his or her nominators."
But that was before the UDP announced its decision to keep nomination day as basic as possible - and keep its supporters at home.
That seems to have given the COMPOL some leverage and this morning he wrote the opposition leader's chief of staff saying, quote, "In view of the continuous threat of COVID-19 and the increase in number of persons being infectedâ š¬¦(I) humbly request you kind consideration and cooperation in cancelling the impending motorcade by (PUP Standard Bearers) scheduled for nomination day."
This is after the commissioner sent out a stern warning earlier on with a press release, warning, quote, "some political parties are inviting supporters to congregate at a certain location prior to, their Nomination Day motorcade".Quarantine Regulation clearly prohibits any gathering larger than ten persons at any given time. The police therefore will be out in full force to enforce the provisions of the Quarantine Regulation". We thus call on all political parties to act responsibly, abide by the laws and to avoid confrontation with law enforcement." End quote.
"Confrontation" sounds serious and today, the Leader of the Opposition told CTV-3 why the PUP backed off its motorcades - including what he says was a UDP provoked confrontation in Red Bank village:
Hon. John Briceno - Party Leader, PUP "We got the letter from the commissioner of police, Mr. Chester Williams, appealing to us not to proceed with the parade. He believes that once you start to gather a lot of vehicles and people are going to be in there and whilst they are waiting for the actual nomination, people will be coming out of their vehicles and then they get together, so it's best asking the PUP not to do it. Secondly, when you look at what happened at Red Bank on Sunday, it was the UDP that was going through, they were having their parade, totally contrary to the law on social distancing and mask and all of that stuff and they stopped in front of a PUP house, they got off their vehicle and when they became the aggressors and attacked PUP supporters in their own yard, in their own home. I think because of that when we saw what happened, maybe at this time it's best that we don't do that but it does not mean that we should not take pictures and put on Facebook, give interviews on what is taking place. Our supporters are excited."
And tomorrow we'll see if those supporters are able to contain their excitement while staying home and cheering laying virtually. The opposition had made extensive plans for its motorcades â š¬" and we gather there has been some pushback from supporters who will find it hard to comply with the party leader's decision.
A release from the party says, quote " The Police Commissioner has explained that the resources of the Belize Police Department are stretched thin at this time, decimated by COVID-19, and out of respect for the Police authorities and concern for the safety of our front-line personnel, public officers, candidates and supporters, we are yielding to the Commissioner's request."
