Assembly ignores protests against electoral reform bill

Thousands of supporters of the Front For Democracy, marched on the National Assembly on Wednesday, August 29, to protest a government bill to change election rules.

Their protest was sparked by the government ignoring the recommendations of a committee set up to study the existing rules and advice from the electoral judges. On Thursday the debate continued in the Assembly.
Panameñista Party Deputy Jose Isabel Blandon said before the debate began:"We are against discussing electoral reform while the consensus reached by the National Electoral Reforms Commission is ignored and also the position of the judges of the Electoral Tribunal, the rest of the political parties and civil society in general”.
The opposition MP said that most of the proposals promoted by the ruling Democratic Change contribute nothing to strengthen democracy in the country. "All are based on a political agenda for the convenience of the Democratic Change party and not for the convenience of all Panamanians.”