Government Sets July 17 for Toledo East Bi-Elections Following Honorable Mike Espat’s Passing

The election of a new Area Representative for Toledo East is imminent since the passing of Honorable Mike Espat.  Tonight we can tell you that the government is looking at July 17 to hold the bi-elections.  Prime Minister John Briceno says he has ordered that a letter to the Governor General be prepared to have the writ drafted and released.

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I think we’re looking at, I don’t know if I should say it now. I’ve asked for the writ to be prepared and the date that I’ve set after consulting with the Elections and Boundaries Commission to see when they could get ready the voters list, I would want to have it as early as possible, the date is going to be July 17th which is going to be on my birthday so I’ll be working on that day in Toledo East.”

As for Nomination Day, the Elections and Boundaries Department has indicated that it would have to be no less than 15 days and no more than 21 days before the election.  This puts us at a time frame of June 26 to July 2.  To date, there are four candidates in the race, namely, PUP’s Dr Osmond Martinez; UDP’s Dennis Williams; BPP’s Wil Maheia and Ray Coleman who is running independently.