Goodnight and welcome to 7News - we have a very full newscast ahead for you tonight - including, of course, the nomination of about 150 councillor candidates in all municipalities - as well as news of another murder in the city - and a very strong statement form the Coast Guard against domestic abuse.
We start with politics - and the nomination activities. Now, first we need to say that nomination to municipal office is really a very simple process - almost, a formality. A prospective candidate just needs two registered voters from that municipality to endorse them - and then he or she has to pay 50 dollars. A simple process that can be done with just a few people - but don't tell that to the mass parties; they brought thousands!
All over the country, there were marches, and bands and boxes, and t-shirts and throngs of supporters for the PUP and UDP.
We start in the city, where today the PUP were first up with their nomination parade. Sahar Vasquez was on the ground with them and she has that report:..
Sahar Vasquez reporting
This morning's rain did not stop PUP supporters young and old from coming out to cheer on their party. Many of them sporting their white and blue shirts stood behind their City Council candidates in staunch support, waving their flags and proudly chanting their party mantras.
But was it an impressive showing? Crowd estimates hover at under a thousand. According to Deputy Opposition Leader Cordel Hyde it was solid but this is really just a rehearsal for the big day.
Hon. Cordel Hyde, Deputy Opposition Leader
"I think that we had a pretty solid showing. I did not see it from the beginning but I know the energy was right. It is just nomination day this is kind of like a dress rehearsal for this big dance."
The PUPs new rebirth team is filled with a lot of young blood who are all eager and hungry for change.
Allan Pollard Jr., PUP City Council Nominee
"Well I think with the party they welcome newcomers. I think we need more new people, new faces, and new in politics in general. I think I bring that to the table so I think people will vote for that."
Dr. Candice Pitts, PUP City Council Nominee
"They are fed up with all the corruption, they are angry, they are upset, they want to violence in the city to stop and they have faith in our team."
And their leader Bernard Wagner is fueled with confidence that his team has what it takes to lead the city because he says they are about the people.
Bernard Wagner, PUP Mayoral Candidate
"We continue to pivot on that platform that we are about the people and we will drive programs that put people first. Infrastructure is good it drives economic development but we can't forget the social fabric, we can't forget the people."
And at the end of the day according to Johnny Briceno, they are fighting the UDP with three things that can change the Belize City.
Hon. Johnny Briceno, Opposition Leader
"It is a ground campaign. We cannot fight the UDP with money. We are fighting them with love, good ideas, great candidates, and hard work."
The PUP had between 700 to 800 supporters in total at their nomination.
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