BELIZEAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: LOW VOTER TURNOUT FAVORED

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000088 DEPT FOR WHA/CEN (CHRISTOPHER ASHE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC SOCI SUBJECT: BELIZEAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: LOW VOTER TURNOUT FAVORED INCUMBENT UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY REF: BELMOPAN 087 ¶1. Belize's March 4th municipal election resulted in another landslide victory for the incumbent United Democratic Party (UDP). The UDP won 61 of 64 contested seats. All elected mayors were from the UDP party, including in the Toledo District where the previous mayor was from the People's United Party (PUP). The three newly elected PUP councilors were from the Orange Walk District. Total voter turnout was estimated at 48.7%. ¶2. Comment: The municipal election results remain essentially the same as from the previous municipal election in 2006. The incumbent UDP maintains most of its elected positions as expected in a free and peaceful election. The change in Orange Walk was likely precipitated by the recent cane farmer's strike and the opposition leader's stronghold in his constituency. However, the PUP leader, John Briceno, was unable to secure a complete victory in his own constituency which may result in future leadership challenges within his own party. End comment. DIFFILY