Mexico: The Electoral Crisis Goes On
López Obrador, who has repeatedly sought a full recount of the ballots – either through the TEPJF or a negotiated agreement with the PAN – was clearly upset by the court’s decision to order such a small revision. According to López Obrador, “this
simply insufficient for a national election.” While the PRD participated in the recount process, many of its adherents were far from satisfied. The fact that the recount was undertaken amidst new allegations of irregularities by the PRD – from illegally opened ballot packets to missing ballots – has done little to lend credibility to Calderón’s supposed incontestable triumph.
The only certain way for Calderón to obtain indubitable legitimacy would be to have his victory ratified by a recount of all the ballots, something the PAN has adamantly resisted to this point. In the weeks since the election, Calderón has walked a fine line between prematurely posturing as president-elect and respecting the reality of the country’s tenuous electoral situation. However, neither has he earnestly assuaged the acrimony which was created by a polarizing and bitter campaign, characterized by vicious ad hominem attacks on his opponents. In the wake of Monday’s violence, Calderón’s comments suggesting restraint on López Obrador’s part and encouraging dialogue rang hollow.
In a recent press conference, Calderón, who initially adopted a low profile, confidently claimed that the results from the partial recount would confirm his victory, and argued that the tallies in 90 percent of the recounted polling places revealed no changes. Irregularities in 7,452 ballot boxes, however, were detected in the recent recount, perhaps supporting López Obrador’s claims that there was foul play in the July 2 presidential election. Despite national clamoring for an immediate release of the recount results, the TEPJF has yet to publish its findings.
The fact remains that a full recount has not yet been ordered – though the possibility exists that the TEPJF may still rule in favor of the process – leaving López Obrador in a difficult situation. A recount only benefits him if it is obtained through legal, legitimate channels such as the TEPJF. Any extra-constitutional action would resolve nothing, as it would not bring with it the authority to guarantee a binding outcome. This means that López Obrador needs to continue pressuring the TEPJF for a full recount, though he must be cautious in doing so.
http://www.coha.org/2006/08/15/mexico-the-electoral-crisis-goes-on/
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