BELIZE CITY (CMC):

Belizean voters came out yesterday in their numbers in a critical vote that will determine whether the Said Musa-led People's United Party (PUP) can gain an unprecedented third term or be booted out by an upbeat opposition.

Long lines were observed at polling stations even as heavy rains threatened to affect the flow of voters throughout the day.

Meteorological officials said a cold front had become stationary over the Yucatan Peninsula and would dump showers mainly over the northern and inland areas of the country.

Worried

"I'm a little worried about the weather," Opposition Leader Dean Barrow told Caribbean Media Corpo-ration just before casting his ballot.

"There is always the question of mobilisation when the weather is as it is now, but that apart, I'm still extremely confident, still certain that the people of Belize have made up their minds.

The die is cast and the United Democratic Party (UDP) will record a great victory," Barrow added.

The UDP has been in opposition since 1998.

"I am very optimistic about the outcome," Musa told CMC, but he too was concerned about the unstable weather and how it would affect voter turnout. "The weather is a little unkind today, but our people have been coming out. We just want to make sure that we get the majority overall.

"I still believe, despite the inclement weather, that people will come out and vote. There has been a lot of enthusiasm, particularly over the last two months," he added.

There are 157,000 eligible voters, and a record 93 candidates vying for the 31 seats in the House of Assembly.

The polls closed at 6:00 p.m. Belize time. The results were not expected to be known some time after midnight.