united democratic party

A two-day debate followed the March 8th national budget presentation by Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño. A special sitting of the House of Representatives was held on March 20th and 21st in the Capital City of Belmopan to debate the 2024-2025 budget, also known as the General Revenue and Appropriation Bill, proposed by the current government under the People's United Party (PUP). The budget prioritized job creation, economic stimulus, security, and significant education, health, and infrastructure improvements. The Opposition Leader under the United Democratic Party (UDP), Honorable Dr. Shyne Barrow, heavily criticized the proposal, labeling it as 'out of touch' and falling short of addressing critical national issues.

Gualberto' Wally' Nunez and his Councilor candidates under the People's United Party (PUP) have maintained its San Pedro Town Council positions. They were re-elected under the campaign motto 'Stay Pan Track,' defeating the full slate of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Independent Mayoral candidate Emergency Medical Technician Abner Bacab.

The 2024 Municipal Elections are currently taking place across the nation, and voters in San Pedro Town have been turning up steadily to cast their votes. Polling stations on the island have been open since 7AM and are located at the San Pedro High School, San Pedro Junior College, and the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School. San Pedro is one of the most significant municipalities in the country and is a leading commercial center in Belize. Since the last municipal elections held in 2021, registered voters have increased from 7,983 to 8,704. The unofficial turnout report at midday, as per the Belize Elections and Boundaries, was 2,229.

On Wednesday, February 21st, all nine municipal slates nationwide were officially nominated as the municipal elections draw closer. Known as Nomination Day, in San Pedro, the People's United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) slate were nominated with great excitement at the Town Hall. The day also saw the participation of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Abner Bacab, who was nominated as an independent mayoral candidate.

Despite attempts to organize a public mayoral debate on February 22nd between incumbent Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez (People’s United Party – PUP) and mayoral candidate Wilfred Alamilla (United Democratic Party – UDP), the debate, organized by The San Pedro Sun and Reef TV/Radio was reevaluated after Alamilla declined to participate, stating that he preferred to reach his constituency in a door-to-door campaign. Mayor Nuñez accepted the invitation to debate. This is the second time in the history of mayoral debates on the island that the UDP has declined to participate.

On March 6th, San Pedranos will exercise their constitutional right and vote in the 2024 Municipal Elections. The voting areas known as polling stations in San Pedro Town remain unchanged. The 8,704 registered electors will vote at polling stations located at the San Pedro High School and San Pedro Junior College Campus on Seagull Street in the Boca del Rio area and San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School on Barrier Reef Drive. Electors will receive guidance at the polling stations regarding where to vote based on the alphabetical breakdown at the voting area.

The San Pedro Sun invited the United Democratic Party (UDP) and People’s United Party (PUP) candidates to answer the following questions. There was no limit to word content, and edits made were for formatting only.

The 2024 municipal elections are fast approaching, and in San Pedro Town the campaign trail has been busy with candidates from both the People’s United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) running their respective campaign machines. On Wednesday, January 10th, members of both parties flocked to the Elections and Boundaries branch in San Pedro to assist those needing to register to vote in the upcoming municipal elections set for Wednesday, March 6th.