Martinelli condemns election count challenges

PRESIDENT Ricardo MartinelIi has returned to his election mode attack on the Electoral Tribunal (TE), describing the presiding Judge Erasmo Pinilla as “biased”.

Martinelli was again complaining of the challenges filed against the results of the last election including members of his party Democratic Change (CD) in some cases relating to the use of state funds during the campaign, a practice condemned by visiting international observers. He identified President-elect Juan Carlos Varela as being responsible for these cases. 

"I accuse Mr. Varela of manipulating the results, I accuse Mr. Varela of wanting to take over 10 members who have earned their seats, because he has no deputies. The people gave him the mandate but not to have control of the Assembly" Martinelli said.
"Mr. Varela is starting his government poorly. He is making a big mistake by trying to  manipulate the results.. I hope that Mr. Varela is honest and acceptsthe victory of Members of the CD , " Martinelli said.(After the break up of the Panameñista-CD alliance, The CD was accused of paying opposition members to jump ship, so that the party could have a majority the National Assembly).
He added that with the challenges Varela seeks to prevent the CD from commanding a majority in the Assembly.
His remarks came during a  Thursday, May 15, meeting with 30 CD deputies in a local restaurant reports La Prensa.