So at this hour - counting is continuing on Caye Caulker. It's only 828 votes or so which is a relatively small number. So they should be done hopefully by 7:30 or 8:00.
Courtney Menzies is waiting on that outcome - but she was also beating those sandy streets in Caye Caulker today - as she and cameraman Codie Norales hovered around the POLLING AREA NO. 34 at the CAYE CAULKER R.C. SCHOOL polling station.
She spoke to all the main players for the yes, the no and the area rep. Here are clips form some of her interviews today:
Louis Wade, Hope Not Dope Campaign
"What I'm saying is minimal interaction, because I believe that the community has its own arguments. I could tell you they are not using church arguments for the no. They have their very specific reasons why they are voting no, and I am happy about that."
"And I believe that at the end of the day, we will see what the community finally decides."
Reporter
"What is your biggest concern if the vote is towards a yes, and that's what wins out tonight?"
Louis Wade, Hope Not Dope Campaign
"I do not have any big concern if it's a yes."
"Actually, I would prefer that it be a no, because then it puts us to rest. We can rest for a couple of years. But if it is a yes, immediately the national campaign kicks in, the church nationally kicks in."
"So the focus has been the island, but if there is a yes, then the real campaign begins, which I am hopeful that that does not have to happen, that we can rest it at this level."
Ilya Rosado, Caye Caulker Town Councillor
"We've been making calls for the most part, and we have mobilized carts to be able to pick up people. A lot of the people who are actually interested in coming out to vote, and who said they would come out to vote yes, I actually mentioned that they would prefer to come out in the afternoon, because again, a lot of the people here are working class people, and these people, of course, have to go out, work, and then find time to come out and vote in between the time that they can get from their actual jobs."
"And again, these are the people that are most affected by the issues that drive me to make change."
Andre Perez, Area Rep., Belize Rural South
"Certainly, it is my responsibility as a representative to come here, and making sure that things go well, and asking our constituents to get out here and vote."
"It is a referendum, regardless of what your position is, to come out and vote. That is the most important thing."
We'll have another live update from Courtney later on in the news.
