Then, as well as now, his campaign has lacked adequate funding and the kind of media attention that his campaign deserves. The 1999 mayoral elections served to establish the unanticipated but key role being played by mayoral candidate, Miguel Antonio Bernal, who also is running as an independent in the current election. However, it is no secret that corruption and fraud are once again being counted on to sway the upcoming election results, with the heavy financial influence already being exercised by isthmus criminal elements and the suspect role of some well-known government officials.
But even these sometimes questionable polls are now showing a narrowing of the numbers that separate the top two contenders. Panama’s notoriously slapdash political polling system is a particular cause for concern as depressing news of fraudulent activity has been associated with each of Panama’s political posts. For these reasons, special attention is being paid to this year’s Panama City mayoral elections. Panamanians and the international community alike still remember the shady and repressive rule that Panama’s citizens endured during the regime of former dictator Manuel Noriega. According to the March 29 TVN Noticias Panamá findings, candidate Bobby Velásquez was drawing 43 percent of the vote Bosco Vallarino was at 35 percent and Miguel Antonio Bernal was in third place with 16 percent.īesides being well known for its current surge of drug trafficking and banking irregularities, Panama’s elections, law enforcement, politicians and polls continue to be viewed as subjects of corruption. Daily news stories focusing on the candidates and their campaigns have captured the attention of registered Panamanian voters as well as the local and international media. The results, up until now, are deeply embarrassing to those directly involved – particularly in the mayoral race – due to the fact that Panama City’s mayoralty is the second most important political office in the country. However, several mayoral candidates are under critical examination due to revelations that occurred during their election campaigns that have managed to sully their reputations. Panama will undergo a change of administration on May 3, as both presidential and mayoral elections take place. Bernal in a class of his own in an otherwise seedy field.
Panama’s Electoral Tribunal makes decision regarding Vallarino.Latest antics in an opéra bouffe election year.Media attention and investigations, or lack of them, influence polling numbers.Bosco Vallarino is under investigation for his dual citizenship which he tried to conceal.On Tuesday, units of the Gaming Board went to headquarters of CIRSA Panama, the biggest operator of slot machines in the country to seize documents that identify it shareholders, but the employees refuse to give the information alleging that the information was at the bank.Ī spokesman for President Ricardo Martinelli said that the head of state has not yet ordered, as reported, the cancellation of the concessions to operate the slot machines and the matter was on the hands of the Public Ministry.Įrnesto Perez Balladares was president from 1994 to 1999 and he privatized the telephone and electricity companies, the casinos and the Balboa and Cristobal ports.Īll the concessions are surrounded by rumors of corruption and allegations that bribes were paid by the companies that won the concessions and were not involved in a bidding process.Corruption and fraud are the focus of May 3 presidential and mayoral election in Panama City The newspaper said that the Gaming Board secretary, Giselle Brea has ordered Monday an audit in the three companies to find out the names of their shareholders.
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