Panamenistas gain seat in re-run election,

PANAMA’S ruling Panamenista party scored their first re-run election victory on Sunday December 15 when Florentino Abrego, won a seat with 18,372 votes Miguel Fanovich, the MOLIRENA candidate took the second seat with 7,438 votes.

The Democratic Change (CD) candidate Roger Baruco- seeking reelection after his May 4 victory was voided because of use of government funds during his campaign, gained only only 5,301 votes.
Jaime Caballero of the Broad Front for Democracy (FAD), won ,1 261 votes, Independent JoséSantamaría 267, José Porras Popular Party (PP) 107.
Of a total of 108,727 eligible electors in 245 tables, 33,740 voted representing a turnout of 69 percent.

The circuit has three seats, and the Electoral Tribunal (TE) had confirmed the election Samir Gozaine,PRD, on May 4.

Former president Ricardo Martinelli, foundere and ruler of the CD party visited a number of polling stations, including Pedregal School where he was greeted with hugs and kisses by some followers. But when then he drove from there to school in San Jose, he chose not to get off the car after some of the voters yelled: “out …out … thief “.

Martinellli was accompanied on his tour of Chiriquí by Fernando Carrillo, MarioMiller and CD Secretary General Romulo Roux.

Although the new elections were called because of the use of State resources for Baruco and Fanovich candidates some voters called publicly for candidates to support them with supplies, money and other items reports La Prensa.