Steady Turnout in Bi-Elections: Polls Close with 54.72% Voter Participation

The polls in today’s bi-elections closed at six o’clock this evening.  Up to five o’clock, the voter turnout as registered by the Elections and Boundaries was at 4,227, an equivalent to 54.72 percent of the total registered voters. All indications since the opening of the polls at seven this morning, are that voters trickled in throughout the course of the day with no long lines or long wait.  According to the Elections and Boundaries data, the hour that saw the most votes cast was between three and four this afternoon.  The political parties, however, were not concerned.  As a matter of fact, UDP’s Chairman, Michael Peyrefitte says this is usual in any given election.

Carlos “Obeah” Galvez, Mayor of Punta Gorda: “I must say that it’s a slow start. However, we are well organized, our machine is well-oiled and definitely we are going to deliver a victory for the PUP for PM. Today is the Prime Minister’s birthday so I want to wish him a happy birthday and PM we are going to deliver for you and we’re ensuring that Dr. Osmond wins this election today.”

Dr.Osmond Martinez, PUP Standard Bearer, Toledo East: “There are some challenges because some have to work and they are from out district. But our machinery is on and we will work until the last minute comes to when the election time is closed, which is 6pm today.”

Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Chairman: “Well, I mean, you have a plan for all elections. You target your turnout, you target your people, you try to get your people to come and vote and I think we have done exactly that. I’m not aware of all the numbers. It’s such…. coming from Belize City to a constituency like this one, even though we’ve been here for the past few months, it is an adjustment to be made. I mean it’s from Barranco all the way up to Monkey River. So in terms of numbers, we don’t know yet, but we targeted our numbers and from what I’m being told our numbers are coming out and let’s just hope that those numbers reflect votes for the UDP.”

Exit polls were a bit challenging to come by as many residents, while not shy to wear their political shirts of choice, were hesitant to speak to the media.

David Palma, Resident: “I am out here. trying to encourage everyone to come out and cast their vote, you know. Because today t’s like a new beginning for our district, you know. We’ve been suffering for a number of years and I am not here to tell you which political party to vote for but to come out and exercise your rights. It’s everyone’s right to come out here and exercise choose who they want to be their leader, you know.”

Paul Maghung, Toledo Correspondent: Now we’re at the PG Methodist School polling station, your observation. How was it ? Empty?

David Palma, Resident: “Well, it seems that people don’t want to come out. It’s empty. They should come out and exercise their right. It’s our right to build here because today, like I say, it’s like a new beginning for our district. We’ve been for like the past 20 years we’ve been with one team over and over. Like, let’s try and make a change, make things different, you know? Let our district revive. We need new ideas. We need people with vision.”

George Grant, Resident: “I need to forget my vote in because the people who I choose, the person who I choose, I think I believe that they are a person who will do good for Punta Gorda anyway.”

The Toledo East division has a total of seven thousand, seven hundred and twenty five registered voters.