EL DIARO SINEMBARGO, EL UNIVERSAL (Mexico), AP
MEXICO CITY – Though victory congratulations for his rival continue to arrive from world leaders, Mexico’s leftist challenger for President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, is conceding nothing as evidence of voter fraud in last weekend’s election has led to a parital recount of the ballots.
Protesters in the capital camped out overnight in front of the federal elections commission (IFE) headquarters ahead of planned further demonstrations Thursday, Mexican daily El Diario reported.
Protests have also spread abroad. In London, people gathered at the Mexican Embassy, shouting: “Mexicans living abroad and in Mexico, we will not give up and we will hold on,” as seen in a video posted on the Facebook page of the activist group Yo Soy 132.
The Associated Press has reported that thousands of people received pre-paid gift cards from the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, for supporting Enrique Pena Nieto’s election. A few of these people were disappointed with the amount they found on their cards, which was less than what they had been promised.
“Hungry? I’ll feed you if you vote for me…” #Mexico #Sorianagate fb.me/1IRoHCg75
— Gozamos.com (@gozamos) July 4, 2012
According to Mexican website Sinembargo, Lopez Obrador’s left wing coalition has nationwide protests if the recount is not considered sufficient: “Left wing hardens and threatens: either there will be recounting of each vote in every voting section, or there will be social movements.”
Mexico’s federal elections commission agreed to do so, although at first they decided for a partial recounting of votes, as the daily El Universal explains it.
However, protests against the election of Enrique Pena Nieto continue in Mexico. The protesters, led by a growing student movement, are organized in a group called Yo Soy 132 (I am 132), and have denounced alleged fraud and widespread manipulation of the media by the PRI.