OAS eyes role of Panamas electoral prosecutor

A MONITORING mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) that visited Panama during the May 2014 elections has recommended in its final report: a “comprehensive review” of the role of the electoral prosecutor.

“It would be good to make an assessment of the way the prosecutor is appointed, as well as the establishment of controls to ensure that all complaints, particularly those relating to propaganda, are investigated and addressed in a timely and ethical manner,” said the head of the delegation, Lourdes Flores Nano.
Flores Nano also recommended to increase the control and surveillance of public funding to control how subsidies are used.
The report highlighted the challenges for women in access to equal participation; and the need for reforms to the Electoral Code to punish candidates who are not accountable for their donations.
It also asked for the creation of new mechanisms for access to information in private donations and greater access to election materials in their native tongues for indigenous communities.
The electoral prosecutor was frequently at odds with judges of the Electoral tribunal and there were widespread complaint about the prosecutor failing to take action over complaints involving CD members and candidates . The prosecutor whad several family members within the Martinelli administration