OFF THE CUFF: Electoral reform finally gets an airing.

A BUNDLE of proposed changes to Panama’s electoral system sat on the shelf throughout the Martinelli years and was never considered by the National Assembly. It was re-introduced by the Tribunal Electoral (TE) in August..

 Meanwhile former president Ricardo Martinelli continues his daily Twitter campaign, accusing the current administration of moving too slowly. For embattled Judge Moncada Luna under investigation for numerous corruption offences, the wheels of justice are moving too quickly.
On Wednesday, October 29 The Government Commission of the National Assembly approved the proposals, the same ones that members of the National Committee on Electoral Reforms approved in 2010.
Deputies made modifications to the project regarding debates, gender participation and voting.
According to TE Judge Erasmo Pinilla, the deputies made “an enormous amount” of changes, but stressed that it needs to eliminate “the Achilles heel” of the code: the financing of campaigns.
He said that the current standard allows uncontrolled private donations.