UDP leader demands exclusive use of red for elections, accuses Elections and Boundaries of “Factional Bias”

Posted: Tuesday, February 25, 2025. 9:59 am CST.

By Zoila Palma: In a letter to Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has strongly objected to the Elections and Boundaries Commission’s (EBC) handling of party colors for the upcoming General Elections.

The letter emphasizes the party’s stance that only one legitimate UDP exists, despite the ongoing legal dispute involving former members of the party.

The UDP, led by Party Leader Shyne Barrow, stresses that the EBC’s reference to “factions” within the party is “patently false,” calling the idea of two UDP factions a violation of the party’s constitution.

“This is our Democracy, not a political volley for the Elections & Boundaries Commissioners appointed by the PUP Prime Minister to make a mockery of free and fair elections,” the letter states.

The party disputes the legitimacy of any other political entity claiming the UDP name, particularly former member Tracy Panton, who recently formed the Alliance for Democracy Party.

According to the letter, “Tracy Panton formed her Alliance for Democracy Party and should be recognized as such.”

Furthermore, the UDP argues that the EBC’s recognition of two UDP factions undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

Shyne Barrow, in his letter, references a court decision in November 2024, where Justice Tawanda Hondora confirmed that Barrow was duly elected as the leader of the UDP in March 2022.

“Justice Hondora recognized one Central Executive of UDP which includes Party Leader Shyne Barrow, Deputy Party Leader Hugo Patt, Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, and other members,” the letter asserts.

The UDP’s letter also underscores that the EBC has not consulted with the party as required by law, noting the absence of any response to previous legal correspondence from UDP’s legal counsel, Professor Chris Malcom.

“There has been zero response to previous correspondence… leaving us to speculate that the EBC may be allegedly engaging in deliberately malicious behavior,” the letter added.

The UDP further reiterated that, “No other Candidates should be assigned traditional UDP Red or any color close.

All political parties and independents should have distinct color assignments, failure to do so will cause mass confusion undermining our Democracy and comprising the integrity of our General Election.”

The UDP has formally listed its official candidates for the 2025 General Elections.

 

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The post UDP leader demands exclusive use of red for elections, accuses Elections and Boundaries of “Factional Bias” appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Tuesday, February 25, 2025. 9:59 am CST. By Zoila Palma: In a letter to Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has
The post UDP leader demands exclusive use of red for elections, accuses Elections and Boundaries of “Factional Bias” appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.