BNTU Prepares for Presidential Election at 54th Annual Convention

The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) will be holding an election tomorrow to select a new National President. The BNTU’s fifty-fourth annual 2-day convention kicked off today in the City of Belmopan and is an important event for the labor union. Last year, the BNTU saw some disruptions in its presidency after Ruth Guerra-Shoman, who was elected in April, had resigned twice within a five-month period.  Her resignation came after events from her past began resurfacing on social media and the mainstream media.  Her first resignation came in May, but she rescinded shortly after.  Her second resignation came in September, leaving the First Vice President, Jorge Mejia to serve as an interim. Come tomorrow Mejia will be passing the mantle to one of the two women vying for the post, Nadia Martin-Caliz and Ifasina Efunyemi. Today, Mejia spoke about the importance of the election and the union’s plans for a smooth process and transition. 

Jorge Mejia, 1st Vice President, BNTU: “Today we’re having the business of the union and at the moment we’ll be reviewing our constitution which is important for our members. Tomorrow it will be crucial. We’ll be having a by election for a national president and it is very important for us our members to come tomorrow to exercise their democratic right which is to elect the next national president of BNTU. We have an excellent team which is the election committee that oversees the entire process. And so tomorrow if you want to know you could come tomorrow and you’ll get the result after the elections.”

Reporter: How important is it to have your members come out in full force to vote ? 

Jorge Mejia, 1st Vice President, BNTU: “Definitely because it’s their right so they need to come and exercise because the person who chose will lead us our members for the future.”

Efunyemi had taken a shot at the presidency last year but lost to Guerra-Shoman by over one hundred votes.