But, possibly one of the biggest and certainly the most historic PUP victory of the day happened in the Corozal Bay By-Election. PUP's Elvia Vega-Samos, a first-time politician, defeated the UDP veteran, Hilberto Campos, by a margin of over 1,200 votes. Channel 7's Codie Noralez and Daniel Ortiz were in Corozal Town for the double elections that took place yesterday, and here is their report on the race for the Corozal Bay parliamentary seat:
For yesterday's By-Election, the 2 mass parties presented the voters of Corozal Bay with strong candidates that each had their own branding and messaging in hopes of attracting the popular vote.
Theoretically, the UDP's Hilberto Campos should have had the lead in this race as Corozal's former four term Mayor. But, first time candidate Elvia Vega-Samos is the sister of David "Dido" Vega, who won the division last year November with 54% of the vote. She is "Dido's" natural successor who could stick to his reform agenda for the constituency.
Hilberto Campos - UDP Standard-Bearer, Corozal Bay
"There's no doubt in my mind that the relationship that we have with the voters here in Corozal Bay is going to prove once again that Hilberto Campus works along with the people and for the people of Corozal. I had a long term relationship, I've been involved in politics for over 16 years out of that 12 years I've served the people of Corozal Bay, so it was just a matter to reconnect back again that relationship that we had and expecting and waiting for the turnout, it's definately without a doubt in my mind that it is going to be favourable for the UDP."
Elvia Vega-Samos - PUP Standard Bearer, Corozal Bay
"The machinery has been working from early this morning, taking out people and I feel good, I feel comfortable and I know that the people are coming out to support Elvie. In terms of the pledges, I see the people are responding, it's not them only telling me Elvie we're going to come out and give you that support but I'm seeing it happening, I'm seeing them coming out and actually given me that vote of confidence. I am so happy for that; I want to thank the Corozalenos for taking time out to come out and give Elvie this vote of confidence."
But, because this was a fight for control over a vacant seat in parliament, the two political parties deployed strategies in which their big-name VIPs showed up to bolster all campaign efforts from the two camps.
Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister/PUP Leader
"From the numbers that we're seeing, they have a comfortable margin ahead of the UDP. They believe they are going to hit the 60%, they believe that once they pass 60% that they feel that they are safe and they are going to hit it. They are very confident that they are going to win but they continue to work. It's about a numbers game and it is about being on the ground finding and looking for all of our supporters and encouraging them to come out and vote."
Daniel Ortiz
"I've spoken to politicians who have been elected and there have been instances where they feel completely betrayed by what the voter tells them in confidence and what is show in the ballot box. Could that be a possibility?"
Hon. John Briceno
"In this instance, I don't think so but as I've always said, we can never take the voter for granted, we can just go based on what we see on our campaign, our pledge list and if there was something seriously going on, I think we would have picked it up by now. It does not mean that we will win by any big margins, but we do believe that at the end of the day we will win."
Hilberto Campos
"You missed out the show, he walked about a couple lanes and had maybe almost 100 people properly distanced but in these times it is hard to implement those measures, however it is something that we're very strict with and it was impressive. Again, it's just a matter of waiting and counting the ballots and there's not doubt again for the UDP to deliver once again in Corozal Bay."
Hon. Patrick Faber - UDP Leader
"I have family here, so I was visiting with my ill step-mother just now. I'll make my way down now stopping in Orange Walk, and then back to Belize City, where of course, I have my own constituency issues to deal with there, in terms of these elections. But I have been traveling across the country, visiting with our teams, and I'm very encouraged. I believe that today will produce some significant victories for the United Democratic Party, but none more significant than the victory that we hope for here in Corozal Bay."
Hon. Hugo Patt - Deputy UDP Leader
"On the ground, the work has been done, since the announcement of the bi-election of course the date for the town council election, we have had the team on the grounds. Well the people of Corozal have a unique opportunity for representation, it's both at the level of the local government and you have the central government but from our end point, I think people have expressed a lot dissatisfaction in terms of what has not been done in Corozal and so, they're opportunity for voice, they're opportunity for opinion is now."
Pablo Marin - Former Corozal Bay Area Rep.
"The reality is that with COVID people not working and when someone comes and offers you the sky the stars and the moon, you will tend to believe that and we do believe that we have a big chance here in Corozal Bay with Hilberto Campus as being 4 time mayor."
The voters showed up in a slow trickle, but they did continue throughout the course of the day, and when the polls closed at 6 p.m. 72.34% of the registered electors had exercised their franchise.
The election officials predicted that they may be able to declare a winner early into the night.
Velma Godoy - Election Clerk, Corozal By-Election
"I think for the bi-election it won't take too long. For the municipal it might take a little bit longer, so we are expecting to give in a very early result."
Daniel Ortiz
"Before midnight?"
Velma Godoy
"Of Course."
2 hours later, Elvia Vega-Samos' campaign team had launched a political celebration, something very rare in our current, post-COVID reality. She had established an early lead, and victory in her very first general elections was all but assured.
The Area Representative-Elect made it clear to listeners and viewers across the country that this win was in memory of the brother she lost to the deadly disease.
Elvia Vega-Samos - Won the By-Election
"I am so happy but at the same time it is a little bit emotional because you know all that my brother went through and you know I am here to continue his work and I am so happy that the Corozalenos believe in me and they have given me this opportunity to represent them. I dedicate this victory to my brother, Dido Vega. Like my slogan said, dis one da fi Dido and this one was for Dido."
Daniel Ortiz
"Ma'am how is it that someone like you who never entered politics before officially defeat a man who's been undefeated in the municipal arena?"
Elvia Vega-Samos
"Well like I said and I will say again, this was God's work, this is not Elvie that did this it was all God's plan. I must thank other ministers that came and supported me, walked with me during the campaign trail. I must thank Hon. Kareem Musa as well who was there with me from the beginning, I am so appreciative of that."
Hon. Kareem Musa - PUP Colleague
"It has to do with her, her genuine spirit, her vision, her plan for her community, I saw that from the get go, I saw that from the get go and so it has to do with her and her vision and her machinery and the people see you here today, she has an incredible team."
After a logistical delay, the election officials announced that Elvia Vega-Samos had won this election by a margin of 1231 votes.
Teresita Miranda - Returning Officer, Corozal Bay By-Election
"I will read to you the number of votes cast. Campos Hilberto, 1,428 votes. Vega-Samos Elvia, 2,659 votes. The number of votes cast were 4,087. We had 45 rejected votes. A total number of 4,132 votes. So therefore the elected representative for Corozal Bay is officially Ms. Vega-Samos Elvia."
At the end of the night, the UDP candidate was gracious in his very first defeat at the polls, and he spoke to our news team about the outcome of the by-election.
Hilberto Campos - Defeated in the By-Election
"I would like to congratulate my opponent, I think that the people of Corozal Bay have spoken, it's an overwhelming victory for the PUP and such it's a democratic process, we have to respect it. I am of course a bit disappointed with the results. Probably the people of Corozal Bay made the decision not based on anti-Campos but rather a pro government decision and they are seeking whatever you believe would be bringing betterment for them. I do hope for the sake of my people here in Corozal Bay, that happens."
To confirm, Elvia Vega-Samos is the first female Area Rep for Corozal Bay.
And while 82% of the voters came out to elect her brother in the November 2020 General Election, just over 72% of the electors cast their vote yesterday.
Still, despite that lower voter turnout, Vega-Samos managed to treble the margin of victory for the PUP. She won by a difference of 1,231 votes.
