RALLIES IN MEXICO CITY CALL FOR VOTE-BY-VOTE RECOUNT
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS OF LÓPEZ OBRADOR CALL FOR FULL RECOUNT
17 July 2006

The uncertified result of Mexico's presidential election of 2 July is leading to wider calls for a national hand recount. The liberal leader of the Partido por el Bien de Todos has said the election was frought with ballot fraud and official acts of sabotage and intimidation and that the count is illegitimate and incomplete.

"International observers" had said the election appeared to be carried out smoothly, but they examined only about 600 locations out of more than 140,000, and the supporters of López Obrador questioned the thoroughness of their methods. It is, for this reason, unclear whether there should be or will be a full examination of the ballots in areas where the count is contested or where allegations of fraud have been put forward.

The demonstrations supporting "AMLO" in the Plaza del Zócalo, in the center of Mexico City, are being compared to similar electoral mass actions such as those in Ukraine, but in the case of Ukraine there were far more obvious and irrefutable actions that gave the world pause about the legitimacy of the government elect.

Tens of thousands have been camping in the Plaza del Zócalo, listening to speeches and rousing rhetoric from López Obrador and from leaders of his coalition. Demonstrations have been ongoing, swelling, peaceful and have hinged on calls for a complete recount of all ballots cast and a sincere effort by officials to determine the true will of the voters. [s]