The upcoming general election has taken an extraordinary turn as two United Democratic Party (UDP) candidates failed to appear for nomination, effectively handing automatic victories to the People's United Party (PUP) in Pickstock and Fort George.
The result, a first in recent political history, has left political analysts and voters grappling with the implications of a race decided before ballots are even cast.
Via press release, the Elections and Boundaries Department informed that, under Section 3(4) of the Election Rules, once the 4:00 p.m. deadline for nomination passed with only one candidate in a given constituency, that candidate was automatically declared the winner. Consequently, Anthony Mahler (Pickstock) and Henry Charles Usher (Fort George) have been officially declared victorious, with their Certificates of Endorsement and Return of Uncontested Election forwarded to the Governor-General.
The Missing Candidates and Internal UDP Divisions
The absences of Dean Samuels (Pickstock) and Melvin Hewlett (Fort George) are just one part of a larger issue plaguing the UDP. These two were among four candidates aligned with Moses "Shyne" Barrow who failed to complete the nomination process. The other two, Norman Usher (Dangriga) and Dennis Williams (Toledo), were similarly absent but did not result in automatic wins for the PUP, as those constituencies had other nominees.
Samuels later issued a public apology in a video message, addressing Barrow, UDP rival Tracy Panton, the party, and the voters of Pickstock. He cited medical, financial and political reasons for his last-minute withdrawal.
In a media interview, despite the gentlemen being of the Barrow faction, Panton expressed disappointment in the decisions taken by Samuels and Hewlitt, reminding that serving the people as a standard bearer is a privilege not to be taken lightly.
Hewlett has yet to provide any public explanation.
This unprecedented turn of events is the latest fallout from the ongoing power struggle within the UDP, which has seen the party divided into two opposing factions: one led by Moses "Shyne" Barrow, and the other by Tracy Panton, who also claims rightful leadership. The rift has resulted in both factions fielding candidates under the UDP banner, despite neither recognizing the legitimacy of the other’s leadership.
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) had already ruled that all 41 UDP candidates—regardless of factional alignment—would run under the same party banner and colors, given that no court ruling has settled the party’s leadership dispute. This decision, political pundits argue, can potentially deepen confusion among voters, who may find themselves uncertain about which UDP faction their vote would actually support.
Broader Electoral Implications
The automatic victories in Pickstock and Fort George mark an unusual moment in Belize’s electoral history. Never before has a major political party effectively ceded two seats before the campaign has even begun. With these two constituencies secured, the PUP now has a head start in the general election, reducing the number of contested races and potentially shifting electoral strategy across the country.
With the March 12 General Election fast approaching, all eyes are on the UDP leadership dispute and whether the party can unify in time—or whether its internal fractures will lead to further unexpected developments.
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