Today was nomination day in all 7 towns and two cities. That's when the mass party and independent candidates step forward with two nominees - who are registered voters, and a 50 dollar government receipt - to nominate candidates for the municipal elections. Once they do this successfully, their names will appear on the ballot on March 6th.
And while that is the procedural importance - for the mass parties, nomination day is really about flexing those political muscles and trying to impress the voters by a show of popular support. Basically, a chance to show voters that they are ready, and, hopefully, undeniable.
So who won the day? We had teams in Belize City, Belmopan and Corozal.
We start in the Capital where the main political intrigues centered on people not even on the ballots: outgoing PUP mayor Sharon Palacio and current UDP standard bearer John Saldivar. Jules Vasquez had the tough questions at the Civic Center in the Garden City:
The PUP crowd coming down Bliss Parade in Belmopan this morning was not overwhelming - in either spirit or numbers. Perhaps typical of the city, they seemed dutiful if not convincing in their job to generate hope around their slate, led by Pablo Cawich:
Jules Vasquez
"Well, you only had out there 75 people in your procession. It doesn't look like you have a lot of support. Your response?"
Pablo Cawich, PUP Mayoral Candidate
"Well, I think you need to recount. Just in terms of campaigners, we have more than that."
"And we have people who are not presently campaigning out here as well supporting. As you mentioned, a lot of the working class in Belmopan is not able to come out at this point in time. And likewise, they don't truly show any political support when it's time that they can come out as well, right?"
"So it is one of the realities of Belmopan that the crowd size will always be different than other municipalities."
Cawich and his team went through their nomination process smoothly - with each candidate having the required two nominees.
Political basics, and Cqwich says that campaigning has been just as easy:
Pablo Cawich, PUP Mayoral Candidate
"Well, the differentiating factor is primarily that this team is a working class team. We have professionals on this slate. I myself have worked in the technology profession for 23 years."
"We have varying professions or disciplines in the slate, from communications to marketing, education, business management, health as well, fitness, right? Tourism. So those are our strengths that we also believe that we have an advantage over the opposition."
"One of the main selling points with us is the works that we intend to accomplish, that we focus on positivity."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you all facing any voter disillusionment because of what happened in the last council with the mayor? How do you explain that to voters and do you have to apologize to them for that?"
Pablo Cawich, PUP Mayoral Candidate
"Well, I cannot really apologize for something that I had no control over. When it comes to relationships, my leadership is a completely different type of leadership."
Jules Vasquez
"I understand what you're saying that you have a different approach to relationships, but at the same time the voters feel that they were defrauded by the PUP in terms of, well, we vote for a council that will work with central government and all we got was endless fighting."
"How do you make that up with them?"
Pablo Cawich, PUP Mayoral Candidate
"Well, regarding the present council itself, The voters in Belmopan are not concerned, are not really concerned or are not expressing any concern with that in this run after the convention itself."
"Prior to the convention, that topic was a very hot topic for the residents. After the convention, the mention of the present council has been very, very minimal."
And that minimal residual damage is why Cawich says his team will sail to victory:
Pablo Cawich, PUP Mayoral Candidate
"Well, the outcome in our view and analysis will be a landslide. That is the feedback we're getting from residents. In terms of John Saldivar, well, in my personal view, I cannot speak for anybody else. His time has come to an end and it's time for the UDP to move on to new candidates."
