CD wins 3rd straight by-election

IN SPITE of near daily revelations of alleged corruption by the former administration the opposition party Democratic Change (CD) has won three straight by-elections, ordered by the Electoral Tribunal because of use of government funds in the May election.

The latest victory raised to 23 the number of CD deputies in the National Assembly . Mariela Vega, won the Sunday by-election in the 7-2 district in the province of Los Santos (Los Santos, Macaracas and Tonosí).
Vega won by 770 over the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Olivares Frias, candidate who also had the backing of the ruling Panameñista Party.

Of the 5604 eligible voters 4422 went to the polls. (78%.)
The re-run was made after an Electoral Tribunal judgment delivered October 15

Magistrates Eduardo Valdes Escoffery and Erasmo Pinilla argued that it was found that the elections in May were developed “in violation of constitutional and legal guarantees”, reports La Prensa.