Electoral Code changes condemned

AMENDMENTS to Panama’s Electoral Code have been condemned by opposition legislators civil groups and former Electoral Tribunal judges.

The changes were passed by the majority Democratic Change party on Friday, April 19.
Panameñista deputy Alcibiades Vásquez said Sunday that the amendments to Code will help the ruling CD retain control of the National Assembly.
"The CD knows that none of the candidates it has will lead them to a win in 2014 and is therefore seeking to change the rules of the game at the last minute," he said.
He said that he has doubts that the Molirena party will continue with its alliance with the CD due to the reforms.
Former Tribunal Electoral Judge Guillermo Márquez Amado said "It's not healthy at this stage to be changing the rules of the game."
The reforms modify the rules regarding political alliances and the allocation of seats in districts with multiple members.