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Photo: Top left: Dr. Osmond Martinez, People’s Unity Party; Bottom left: Dennis Williams, Democratic Progressive Party; Right: Will Mahia, People’s National Party
The byelection is scheduled for July 17 in East Toledo.
By Charles Gladden
Toledo District, Thursday, June 13, 2024
July 17 has been set as the date for east Toledo residents to elect a new district representative, after the death of former district representative Michael Espat in April left the seat vacant.
Espat had held the seat for six terms, since 1989, making him the longest-serving member of parliament in Belize. His long tenure in the constituency came to an abrupt end when he suffered a heart attack and died in Belmopan late one evening.
He was 75 years old.
Since his death, each of the major political parties has chosen a flag bearer to contest the vacant seat. Meanwhile, the Popular United Party (PUP) has several candidates vying for the flag bearer position, including former Finance Ministry chief executive Dr. Osmond Martínez, the late Esparte’s son Melem Esparte, and Minister Oscar Requena’s brother Nicanor Requena — so the party had to hold its congress over the weekend.
In that congress, Dr. Martinez received 1,762 votes, while Espart received 1,281 and Requena received 479 votes, of which 34 were discarded. He became the new standard-bearer of the PUP.
Martinez will compete against United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Dennis “Deshaw” Williams, People’s National Party (PNP) Representative Wil Mahia, and Ray Coleman, who is running as an independent.
Meanwhile, Belize Prime Minister John Briceño has called for an election writ to be drafted and issued in the coming days.
“I have asked for the writ to be prepared and a date has been set… for when they can prepare the voters’ list after consulting with the Electoral and Boundaries Commission, and I hope to get it as soon as possible,” Prime Minister Briceño told reporters.
The last by-election due to the death of an elected representative was in 2021, when David “Dido” Vega died of complications from Covid-19 on the day he was sworn in. His sister, Elvia Vega Samos, won the by-election and became Corozal Bay’s successor.
In addition, in 2003, His Excellency Agripino “Pino” Cawich served as Minister of State in the PUP government and died of cancer while in office. John Saldivar of the UDP was subsequently elected as the regional representative for Cayo del Sur (now Belmopan).
The winner of the Toledo East byelection will serve until the 2025 general election.
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