(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) holds the upper hand before Belize’s general election, according to a poll by the Society for the Promotion of Education and Research. 25.7 per cent of respondents would support the UDP in this month’s legislative ballot, while 17.5 per cent would vote for the ruling People’s United Party (PUP).
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) holds the upper hand before Belize’s general election, according to a poll by the Society for the Promotion of Education and Research. 25.7 per cent of respondents would support the UDP in this month’s legislative ballot, while 17.5 per cent would vote for the ruling People’s United Party (PUP).
More than one-in-four respondents are undecided, and 25.2 per cent chose not to reveal their voting intention.
Said Musa has acted as Belize’s head of government since August 1998. In the March 2003 election, the PUP secured 22 seats in the 29-member National Assembly. The opposition UDP, headed by Dean Barrow, elected the remaining seven lawmakers.
Present-day Belize was established as a British colony in Central America—under the name British Honduras—in 1840. Belize became an independent parliamentary democratic monarchy in 1981.
On Jan. 10, UDP leader Dean Barrow revealed the 21 points of his party’s manifesto. The list includes a pledge to lower taxes and slash utility rates, as well as a promise to increase health care coverage. Barrow said Belize must find ways to share profits from oil, which could become one of the country’s most important sources of income in the coming years after significant reserves were discovered.
Barrow referred to the manifesto the following day, saying, "The United Democratic Party is sworn to implement every single one of those goals and objectives and ideas. And we know from the reaction (…) that the people of this country have accepted fully and have welcomed with great order and enthusiasm the plans of the United Democratic Party to take Belize forward."
The next election is scheduled for Feb.7.
Polling Data
Which party would you vote for in the general election?
|
United Democratic Party (UDP) |
25.7% |
|
People’s United Party (PUP) |
17.5% |
|
Undecided |
27.1% |
|
No reply |
25.2% |
Source: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research
Methodology: Interviews to 417 registered voters adults in Belize’s six districts, conducted in January 2008. No margin of error was provided.
