Eluide Miller chosen as the PUP’s Mayoral Candidate After Heated Convention

But beyond the money and machinery, PUP delegates made their decision yesterday.  The political temperature soared in the Old Capital yesterday as the People’s United Party held its highly anticipated Belize City Municipal Convention. The ITVET compound on Freetown Road was transformed into a sea of blue and white as hundreds of delegates, party stalwarts, and supporters descended upon the grounds to cast their ballots and decide who will represent the PUP in the March 2027 municipal elections.  Reporter Zayna Augustine has the story on how the intense intra-party battle unfolded, and how the party plans to move forward united.

Reporter: Early Sunday morning the air at the ITVET compound on Freetown Road was charged with high stakes political energy. Under bright blue popup tents lined along the pavement campaign machinery was out in full force. Music blared, banners flapped in the breeze and supporters clad in candidate t-shirts chanted nonstop as delegates from all ten Belize City constituencies arrived in structured time slots throughout the day to cast their votes. At the center of the intense contest was a fair battle for the mayoral nomination between Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller and three term city councillor Allan Pollard Jr. Following weeks of aggressive ground campaigns and intense factional backing across the city’s divisions 786 of the 787 eligible delegates turned out to vote. According to the official press release issued by the People’s United Party polling was overseen by presiding officer Mr. John Bernard Wade and representative from the Order of the Distinguished Service. When the polls closed at 4pm and counting wrapped up party Chairman Honorable Henry Charles Usher received the official results from Secretary General Collet Montejo at around 9pm before addressing the crowd to address Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller as the winner with 427 votes over Pollard’s 341.

Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, PUP: “Both teams had a robust campaign, a strong campaign, a campaign for the people. After today, the real work begins. The real work begins as we start the campaign to March 2027 as united as one team for the people. For the mayoral race Mr. Allan Pollard received 341 votes. Mr. Eluide Miller received 427 votes. Eluide Miller is our PUP candidate for the March 2027 mayoral race.”

Reporter: Despite the fierce rivalry that built up in the weeks leading to Sunday’s vote the post election tone shifted immediately to reconciliation. Shortly after the official announcement Allan Pollard Jr, who the party commended for running a highly organized and professional campaign, graciously conceded defeat embracing Miller and pledging his full support to the party and city hall.

Allan Pollard, Belize City Councillor : “It was a good fight. I mean we knew it was going to be an uphill battle from the beginning. From the minute we came out and saw the crowds and just hearing the campaign trail and the amount that was stacked against us I mean we went into this thing with the least amount of area reps and at the end of the day. I have a commitment to those people and just continue working. Continue working for the people. The many supporters that came out today, I had a lot of supporters out here today not only delegates but people who actually came out, people who actually came out and gave me that support. I love and appreciate that. I just feel for my team. My team put in a lot of work, a lot of effort. We’re satisfied with all we did, I don’t think there’s anything more we could have done in that three weeks. Obviously back to the drawing board. I’m obviously still, I feel like I still have a future in politics in Belize. Still have a future in the party and I just have to go back to the drawing board and work.”

Reporter: Weeks leading up to the convention saw visible divides within the party rank and file as political heavyweights threw their weight behind different candidates. Addressing those internal tensions area representative Kareem Musa emphasized that the democratic process has cleared the air and any lingering rivalries are now firmly in the past.

Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores: “We have two exceptional candidates and that’s why I’m telling you confidently we are going to deliver whoever it is comes out victorious today because we’re seeing exceptional candidates young, vibrant, dynamic candidates offer themselves for the People’s United Party. So it is in a sense explainable. It doesn’t matter who wins, Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde will rally behind them, Deputy Leader of the East Anthony Mahler will rally behind them and so we will come together at the end of this. This is an internal convention and so yes while it is that there are high tensions today we have always managed to come together after a contested convention.”

Reporter: Out of a crowded field of 19 councillor aspirants delegates selected the official ten member council team to join Miller on the slate. Led by newcomer Christian “Toxico” Alpuche who topped the entire poll with 564 votes. Brendan Boloy 466 votes. Kirkland Smith 465 votes. Re-elected member Kaya Cattouse 446 votes. Sherwin Garcia 442 votes. Edmund Kwan 437 votes. Dorian Usher 431 votes. Stephanie Hamiltton 412 votes. Simon Noralez 395 votes and concluding with Darwin Leslie 348 votes. With the team officially sworn in on sight the PUP announced that with contested conventions now behind them the party shifts its focus towards endorsement conventions for slates in Orange Walk, San Pedro, Dangriga and Belmopan as they unite behind team 11 for the March 2027 municipal elections.”