Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BELMOPAN88
2009-03-05 22:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Belmopan
Cable title:
BELIZEAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: LOW VOTER TURNOUT FAVORED
how-toR 052223Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1713 WHA CENTRAL AMERICA COLLECTIVE EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
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
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
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