At press time tonight ballots were still being counted for a national referendum on whether or not Belizeans accept the $33 million debt that Government is about to settle for the Universal Health Services. To date there are about 20 polling stations left to count, but results reported by Derek Aikman, the spokesperson for the Belize Covenant Movement, which is conducting the poll, indicate a resounding “NO” on the 33-million-dollar question.
At the Anglican Cathedral College in Belize City, 286 people voted no and 1 yes. In Corozal Town, 657 people voted no and 5 yes. In Ladyville, Belize District, 232 people voted no and 0 yes. In the Belama area of Belize City (at the Travellers station), 331 people voted no and 2 people voted yes. The results will continue to come in as the night progresses. We hope to have final results in our next edition.
Aikman told us earlier today that Belize Covenant Movement, a new group of 50 members, was expecting to launch their organization soon, but because of tomorrow’s meeting at the National Assembly to address the UHS issue, they decided to undertake this project to ensure that the Belizean people give a structured and defined response to the UHS question, and so that when area representatives on both sides go to the House to vote on the UHS issue, they will address the UHS issue knowing exactly where the people of Belize stand on the issue.
He said that the poll is going far better than expected. During the day ballots ran out in Belmopan. By 4:00 p.m. an estimated 2,000 people had voted nationally. At 8:00 p.m., numbers had exceeded 6,000.
Aikman said that final results are expected around midnight, and he would immediately contact the secretary generals of both the United Democratic Party and the People’s United Party to inform them.
The stations were open starting at 10:00 Thursday morning in most areas. The polling was intended to give nationwide coverage, but there was none in Dangriga, because the support network there did not fall in place.
In the end, only five of six districts were included in the poll: In the Belize District, votes were taken in Belize City, San Pedro, Ladyville, and Hattieville. Votes were also taken at various stations in Orange Walk, Corozal, Punta Gorda (Toledo), and San Ignacio, Santa Elena and Benque in Cayo. Ballots were to be taken at a total of 22 stations, excluding the two listed for Dangriga that did not pan out.
Apart from Aikman, other members of the Belize Covenant Movement are Dean and Diane Fuller, Hubert Elrington, Lincoln and Niall Gillett, James Bradley, and Richard Smith.