AMERICA/PANAMA - Last round of by-elections, the local Church sends observers to polling stations

Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Penonomé (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church of Panama has announced that it will appoint observers for the by-elections of 21 December 2014. The note sent to Agenzia Fides explains that elctions are being held in Panama again to elect some MPs, mayors and local administrators, since irregularities were found in the general election of May 4, 2014 and the Electoral Tribunal of Panama annulled the vote in some polling stations. State funds were used by some candidates to pay bribes to voters when the Democratic Change party was in government during the elections held in May.
His Exc. Mgr. Uriah Ashley, Bishop of Penonomé, and His Exc. Mgr. Rafael Valdivieso Miranda, Bishop of Chitré, informed the press that the Catholic Church has decided to appoint observers to be present at the polls on December 21, to ensure proper conduct of voting. Mgr. Ashley pointed out that "these are the last elections scheduled, so it is necessary that the local people go to exercise their right to vote in peace, in order to avoid situations that do not contribute to democracy. For this reason, the Church Catholic will have its observers". Mgr. Valdivieso said that those who vote must do so with maturity, even the candidates have to work for common development, "not with the idea of getting rich, but to help the community". 10 MPs, 2 mayors and eight representatives of the local government will have to be elected. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 16/12/2014)


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