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The May 2019 General Elections (including Presidential)


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Taboga mayor pays for environmental gaff

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Posted 07/05/2019

Among those swept aside in the election was  Ramón Ramos, the flamboyant mayor of Taboga, who tried to make a back door deal to convert the island of Boná from a bird sanctuary into a ship bunkering facility. He was stopped short by an environmentalist outcry and the follow up was being replaced by PRD Magui Ricord.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/taboga-mayor-pays-for-environmental-gaff

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Winners and losers battle for share of Assembly spoils

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Protesting against re-election of Benicio Robinson

Posted 08/05/2019

THREE DAYS After Panama’s elections in which a number of the old guard National Assembly deputies were ousted from what they thought were safe seats, maneuvering is still underway among those attempting to cling to the cookie jar.

The delays continue because of Panama’s unique voting system allowing candidates to run for more than one office, and after clear winners have been established, adding on the votes for the alternate post and with a shoal of party nominated cannibalistic sharks fighting it out to the last drop of fraternal blood.

The system also means that voters can cast more than one vote for the same candidate,

Local media carry reports of alleged alterations of the polling station records, irregularities in the application of the system of distribution of seats and announcements of possible challenges.

La Prensa describes heated discussions, pushing and shouting in the scrutiny of results in multi-candidate constituencies in Panama and Colon.

“For example, in the circuit 8-6 ( San Miguelito ) complaints of anomalies arose after the proclamation of the seven winning deputies, but particularly against Leandro Ávila (PRD), who will return to the  National Assembly after being awarded the seat with secondary votes.

Agustín Lara, candidate for a PRD deputy, accused Ávila of allegedly altering the results of a final count that gave him an advantage of four votes In 8-7, Crispiano Adames, who is seeking re-election, also with secondary votes is presenting a challenge

To present a challenge, the plaintiff must deposit a bond of $25,000, according to the Electoral Code. During the five year term, a deputy will draw a minimum of $500,000, plus, multi-million to hire staff including relatives.

In circuits 8-9 in Panama north and 8-10 in Panama National Police presence was reinforced as tensions increased over complaints of alleged irregularities in the scrutiny of voting records.

In Capira candidates called a press conference to announce a challenge against deputy Yanibel Ábrego (CD),  current  president of the National Assembly who managed to get re-elected.

They indicated that they will present evidence of alleged use of State resources by Ábrego during her campaign.

In Changuinola, Bocas del Toro, candidates for free application, together with their activists, protested yesterday before the Electoral Tribunal against the re-election in that circuit of the PRD deputy, Benicio Robinson.

They will present demand for annulment of the elections because Robinson allegedly exceeded the cap on private financing spending that according to the Electoral Code is $300,000 for deputies.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/winners-and-losers-battle-for-share-of-assembly-spoils

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Election of deputy challenged to clean Capira name

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Posted 08/05/2019

A group of residents and candidates in the community of Capira in West Panama will contest the resultafter the re-election of the Democratic Change party (CD), deputy and current president of the National Assembly  Yanibel Abrego

They said  on Wednesday May 8 that they are unhappy and reported alleged irregularities with the delivery of food bags and other  patronage acts.

One of the spokesmen said that " Capira does not sell or itself  and wants an authority that changes things ."

Meanwhile, residents said they have unified and will challenge the elections of 10 corregimientos, the mayor's office and the deputy.

They argue that despite the cost of the challenge $25,000 for each they will raise the money throughout the district to fulfill the commitment, although most are humble.

They ssay  that they have been criticized throughout the country for the re-election of Ábrego and to clean the district's name.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/election-of-deputy-challenged-to-clean-capira-name-1

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Investigation into Bocas del Toro election result

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Protests continue in Bocas

Posted 09/05/2019

PANAMA’S  electoral prosecutor  Eduardo Peñaloza, has opened an investigation for the possible commission of electoral crimes in the province of Bocas del Toro where protestors have blocked highways  and access to the Electoral Tribunal office since the announcement of Sunday, May 5, of the re-election of Benicio Robinson, the scandal-ridden PRD  deputy, alleged to have invoiced non-delivered baseball bats at $600 apiece.

The prosecutor said that he has received complaints from some people who are providing alleged evidence of electoral crimes that, according to them, have occurred in the electoral process in the province.

Earlier in the week, there were complaints that Robinson had exceeded the $300,000 limit for campaign expenses.

Meanwhile, the PRD party sent a high-level delegation to the province to quell concerns over  Robinson who is president of the part as well as  being the recently re-elected leader of the controversy clouded   Panama  Baseball Federation.

The general secretary of the PRD urged the community to allow the electoral process to end, with the proper proclamation. He recalled that whoever does not accept the result has the right to challenge [at cost of $25,000].

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/investigation-into-bocas-del-toro-election-result

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On 5/10/2019 at 8:09 AM, Moderator_02 said:

 

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Bocas streets reopen after four days of protests

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Roads and bridge blocked

Posted 11/05/2019

The bridge over the Changuinola River in Bocas del Toro was reopened on Saturday, May 11 after over four days of closures by protesters against the re-election of controversial local PRD deputy. Benicio  Robinson who has clung to office for the last 20 years.

The closure persisted through the morning, after Friday night’s proclamation of Robinson for his fifth consecutive term in the National Assembly

There were also blockades in Las Tablas, Fincas 11, 51 and 52 and near the headquarters of the Electoral Tribunal in Changuinola, but after 11:00 a.m. most of the points had already been reopened reports La Prensa

The High-Level Commission that dealt with the claims of  Bocatoreños who oppose the re-election of  Robinson, concluded without any agreement.

The commission included  Osman Valdés, director of Electoral Organization of the Electoral Tribunal (TE);   ombudsman, Alfredo Castillero; National Police chief, Alonso Vega Pino; the Electoral Attorney General, Eduardo Peñaloza, and the governor of Bocas del Toro, Esteban Chacón.

  Val’des tried to convince the demonstrators that the corporation does not have the power to annul elections.  He explained that a process should be opened with a challenge after the proclamation.

 Police, chief Alonso Vega Pino,  called on the demonstrators to make the best decisions in favor of the community.

The closures affected the banana company, which was unable to move over 100,000 boxes of fruit   Merchants and farmers were hit by the four days of paralysis preventing delivery of products such as tomatoes, lettuce, and eggs. and the Ministry of Education suspended school classes, to safeguard children during the confrontations.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/bocas-streets-reopen-after-four-days-of-protests

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Cortizo  talks with Pompeo

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Cortizo and Pompeo

Posted 11/05/2019

Panama president-elect Laurentino Cortizo, and US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, spoke on  Friday, May 10.,

Pompeo said on his Twitter account, that in the conversation the strong relationship between both countries was highlighted and the relationship is expected to flourish as they continue to work together on security issues, promoting regional stability and advocating for democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/cortizo-talks-with-pompeo

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Panama president-elect sends warning  to judiciary

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Posted 11/05/2019

Panama’s president-elect Laurentino Cortizo sent a message to prosecutors, judges, and magistrates to not respond to political pressures or economic sectors, but to their conscience.

Cortizo's remarks were made on Thursday. May 9 n the speech he gave after receiving the credentials as president-elect of from the president of the National Scrutiny Board, Nivia Rossana Castrellón.

"Corruption  whatever the face, and wherever it is  let it be known that we have commitments and a code of conduct to fulfill (...) We will take the fight against corruption. head-on ."

Cortizo called for the unity of all sectors of the country and reiterated his campaign proposals for reforms to the Political Constitution, strengthening the education system, "law and order" and attacking poverty.

In an unusual event in the proclamation of the president-elect, the ceremony was attended by the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela. Cortizo said that it was an "elegant" gesture, by Varela.

Both will meet on Monday in the Presidency to begin the transition of command.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama-president-elect-sends-warning-to-judiciary-1

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Assembly president faces clientilism challenge

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Yanibel Abrego

Posted 13/05/2019

AT LEAST 50 people accompanied Eduardo Vásquezthe ex-candidate for the Popular and Panameñista parties to the headquarters of the Electoral Tribunal, in Ancón, on Monday, May 13 to challenge the proclamation of deputy Yanibel Ábrego the current president of the National Assembly.

Ábrego of the , Democratic Change Party was proclaimed as elected deputy in the circuit 8-2 (Capira) where there were early media reports of distribution of food bags and a journalist filming the incident was attacked by Abrego.

Vasquez and his legal team say they have "testimonies" and "evidence" that Ábrego based her  campaign on "clientelism".

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/assembly-president-faces-clientilism-challenge

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Elction of Capira mayor and deputy challenged

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Yanibel Abrego labeled "traitor"

Posted 14/05/2019

A challenge to the proclamation of the elected mayor of Capira, Jorge Ramos, has been launched. He is a relative of  Yanibel Ábrego, (CD) whose reelection as a deputy has already been challenged. Ábrego, who was called "traitor" by former President Ricardo Martinelli, for refusing to follow his instructions while he was self-exiled in Miami.

is the current president of the National Assembly. and Abrego was elected on May 5 for her third consecutive term.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/elction-of-capira-mayor-and-deputy-challenged

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Trump adviser  meets Panama’s old and new guard

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Posted 15/05/2019

Trump adviser  meets Panama’s old and new guard

Mauricio Claver-Carone an adviser to  Donald Trump and director of the  US National Security Council for the Western Hemisphere, was in Panama on Wednesday, ay 15  to hold a meeting with incoming and outgoing government leaders reports the US embassy.

At the meeting they spoke "about priorities of the bilateral relationship in economic, political and security matters, as well as expressing the interest of the United States in continuing the close collaboration between both countries from the day of the inauguration."

Claver-Carone took advantage of his tour to talk with members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Panama to "discuss a coordinated approach regarding the situation in Venezuela."

"The ambassador of Venezuela in Panama, Fabiola Zavarce, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis Miguel Hincapié, and  as well as the ambassadors of Chile, Colombia and Peru in Panama, discussed options to remedy the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela," said a US Embassy statement

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/trump-adviser-meets-panamas-old-and-new-guard

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The Mayor-elect of Boquete, Joswar Alvarado, has been impugned, or challenged, by current Mayor Millo Walker. The case has been accepted by the Tribunal Electoral.

This means the current administration will remain in place until such time as a resolution is reached.

The Representante post in Jaramillo where two fellows named José are vying for the position is also under challenge.

Edited by Keith Woolford
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I had to look up what impugnacion means, thinking it had to do with impugning and wondering what the heck that would have to do with the election. In fact, it means contested or challenged.

I wonder how long this will take.

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Appeals  against Capira deputy and mayor  election rejected

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Yanibel Ábrego,

Posted 22/05/2019

In the see-saw world of Panama politics, the Third Electoral Court  rejected  on May 22 the objection against the election  of Yanibel Ábrego, the  Cambio Democrático (CD) deputy  and current president of the National Assembly,  

Ábrego was re-elected as a deputy in  (Capira) and the challenge was presented last week by the independent candidate  Eduardo Enrique Vásquez.on the grounds that she practiced  "clientelism" during her election campaign.

The deputy, in her report of income and campaign expenses, which was presented as evidence in the challenge, said that she received $79,550, of which she contributed $15,000 and received contributions for $64,500. She also said that she spent $55,460.

The Electoral Court also rejected a challenge against Jorge Ramos the mayor of Capira,

That ruling will be appealed on  Friday, May 24.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/appeals-against-capira-deputy-and-mayor-election-rejected

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