Eluide Miller Refuses to Exit PUP Belize City Mayoral Race

Belize City’s Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller is standing his ground in the race to become the People’s United Party’s mayoral candidate for Belize City.  His determination is setting the stage for what could become one of the party’s most contentious internal contests ahead of the 2027 municipal elections.  Love News has confirmed that Miller, who was reportedly asked by senior party officials last week to withdraw from the race, has now informed the party that he intends to remain a candidate and will push for a convention to allow delegates to decide who carries the PUP banner.  The latest development comes amid growing speculation over a reported commitment made to fellow contender Allan Pollard. According to information reaching Love News, Prime Minister John Briceño personally assured Pollard that he would receive the party’s endorsement for the 2027 mayoral race if he agreed to step aside during the last municipal election cycle.  In 2024, Pollard had been preparing to challenge then-incumbent Mayor Bernard Wagner.  Wagner, however, declined to face a convention and instead sought endorsement. Pollard ultimately withdrew from that race, with the understanding, according to multiple sources, that his opportunity would come in 2027.  Since then, however, Wagner is said to have thrown his support behind Eluide Miller, grooming him as the party’s next mayoral candidate. That development has now placed Miller and Pollard on a collision course for the nomination.  While Pollard has publicly maintained that he has no objection to taking the matter to a convention, Love News understands that senior party officials are exploring their options ahead of a meeting of the PUP National Executive scheduled for tomorrow. Sources say discussions are expected to focus on how the party intends to resolve the increasingly divisive contest.  With Miller refusing to step aside and Pollard standing by what he believes was a promise made two years ago, the issue has evolved beyond a simple mayoral race into a test of the PUP’s commitment to internal democracy and the value of political commitments made within the party.  Love News will continue to follow developments and provide updates as they become available.