Huge Rally Challenges Mexico Poll

Monday, July 31st, 2006 by RLR

From The BBC News

mexicoelect4Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Mexico to support the left-wing candidate in the disputed 2 July presidential elections. “Hold on, the people are rising,” they chanted as they marched to Zocalo, Mexico City’s main public square.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is seeking a full recount of the vote which saw him lose to conservative Felipe Calderon by half a percentage point. The Federal Electoral Institute has until 31 August to decide. The dispute has paralysed Mexican politics, correspondents say. A president-elect must be declared by 6 September to replace Vicente Fox on 1 December.

‘Filthy’ poll

This was the third - and the largest - protest by Mr Lopez Obrador’s supporters to press their demand for a recount. Holding banners that read “No to fraud”, and wearing T-shirts with the image of their candidate, they made clear they would not give in until a vote-by-vote recount was authorised.

“The elections were filthy,” said Maria Teresa Priego. “We are here to support a humble man, a hard-working man.”

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