Chamber of Commerce backs Electoral Tribunal

ANOTHER voice has joined the growing chorus supporting Panama’s Electoral Tribunal (ET) after President Ricardo Martinelli and his spokesman had voiced doubts about its impartiality.

Panama's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIAP) on  Wednesday, February 26, rxpressedits confidence in the transparency and credibility of theTribunal ahead of the upcoming elections.

The body believes that the Tribunal has shown "transparency" in its20 year lifeas the country's leading democratic institution.
José Luis Ford, president of the CCIAP said that the actions of ET are "blameless and internationally recognized."
He added that the country has always respected the results of the elections. "The whole electoral process is regulated by the Electoral Code and technological processes are no exception."
Ford's statements were issued in a statement and then given to o Martinelli, who cast doubt on the independence of the Tribunal.