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COLA’s Horse Won
posted (April 21, 2017)
So, as you saw in our story, the teachers placed a lot of emphasis on what they strongly believed was political interference designed to manipulate their union.

The grassroots organization COLA, which has been a faithful ally of the BNTU, showed some presence in San Roman to observe the elections. President, Giovanni Brackett told us that he is hoping that the results reflected the will of the teachers, not PUDP scheming:

Giovanni Brackett, President - COLA
"We didn't want to be up here, because we believe that we could support from afar. But it's very simple, the government has interfered within this election. I have gotten calls about this election over the last few weeks, try to ignore it. The latest reports that I have gotten is that there had actually meetings within the different parliamentarians within the government who have met with teachers and have gone to having a strategic orchestrated move to get their candidate elected here."

"This union, the Teachers Union has shown over the past few years that they are the strongest entity within the NTUCB. It is in the best interest of the United Democratic Party, if they want a fourth term, to have to break the backs of the unions. So we have come out here simply to show our support for freedom in this election that freedom free from political interference. We have our candidate that we support, but we believe that it was necessary for us to come here, Mr. Rivers and I to show face and to observe. Because we thought that they would have actually have some supporters out here to make mischief, but we know they have supporters in green shirts. So we just came out here to show support and solidarity with the past executive president and support whoever will be the new elected president."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"So you are not here to play favorites with any of the 3 candidates?"

Giovanni Brackett, President - COLA
"Well I won't lie, I have done a polling within our organization and majority of our people has already selected and they support Elena Smith. They believe her record and that she is a fighter, not just for teachers, but on the issues that affect this country and so I am not afraid to say that majority of the members within COLA executive is in support of Elena Smith."

That interview was granted hours before the teachers had elected Elena Smith. So, with her selection, COLA should be pleased that their favoured candidate is now leading the BNTU.

Smith's victory is also being celebrated by the Belize Progressive Party. They sent out a statement saying, "(BPP... takes this opportunity to congratulate the… (BNTU) on hosting a successful convention, which saw a smooth transition of leadership... The BPP anticipates that the advocacy and... actions which have become synonymous with the BNTU, shall continue under the leadership of the new President, Senator Elena Smith." End quote.

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