Friday, August 11, 2006
Judgment Day Nears in Mexico
The limited recount nears its end. . Lopez Obrador explains why this limited recount is not acceptable (via ElMachete).
Polls show that at least a third of Mexican voters believe the election was fraudulent and nearly half support a full recount. And yet the electoral tribunal has ordered an inexplicably restrictive recount. This defies comprehension, for if tally sheet alterations were widespread, the outcome could change with a handful of votes per station. Our tribunals — unlike those in the United States — have been traditionally subordinated to political power. Mexico has a history of corrupt elections where the will of the people has been subverted by the wealthy and powerful. Grievances have now accumulated in the national consciousness, and this time we are not walking away from the problem.The electoral court blocks observation of the recount. Outside observers are only permitted to see the opening of the ballot packets. In Veracruz, PAN lost 754 votes, while Obrador gained 114. Open ballot packets were found. Precinct 263, district 4 of Durango, had a ballot packet. But, um... funny thing! No ballots inside. Another electoral packet had ballots with multiple signatures on the backs. In districts 1, 3, and 4 (where counting continues is districts 1 and 4). 63 precincts had errors. Of the 59 out of 174 counted precincts (344 total), there were 205 extra ballots and 679 missing ballots. In Cuernavaca, PAN is claiming that it actually gained a few votes. The PRD says that there were no ballots seals to prove provenance and 101 overvoted ballots actually were spoiled by someone with different handwriting than the voter. Meanwhile PAN claims that only 25% of precincts have any errors, and only 3% of precincts are off by more than 5 votes. If more ballot packets had been sealed or not opened, that might mean something. Only a third of Mexicans think the election was fraudulent?
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