Huge Rally Challenges Mexico Poll
Monday, July 31st, 2006 by RLRFrom The BBC News
Hundreds 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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