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Right-winger wins Panama election Right-winger wins Panama election
(about 3 hours later)
Rightist businessman Ricardo Martinelli has been declared the winner in Panama's presidential election.Rightist businessman Ricardo Martinelli has been declared the winner in Panama's presidential election.
With 43.68% of the votes counted, the National Electoral Board announced that Mr Martinelli, of the Democratic Change party, had won. With about half of the votes counted he had 60% of the vote, compared to 37% for his rival, the ruling party's Balbina Herrera.
Correspondents say he had tapped into the concerns of the poor by promising to get tough on crime and corruption. Correspondents say Mr Martinelli, of the Democratic Change party, appealed to poor voters by promising to tackle corruption and crime.
He defeated centre-left rival Balbina Herrera of the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD). He will now oversee a multi-billion dollar expansion of the Panama Canal.
Presidents in Panama are elected for a single, five-year term, and the incumbent, the PRD's Martin Torrijos, is standing down. Presidents in Panama are elected for a single, five-year term. Incumbent Martin Torrijos of the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party is standing down.
Five years ago, Martinelli only polled 5% Economic tasks
Mr Martinelli will face a series of economic challenges as the global economic downturn hits the crucial trade link of the Panama Canal. "The tribunal considers you the undisputed winner of this presidential contest," the head of the electoral tribunal told Mr Martinelli in a telephone call broadcast live on television and radio.
He had stood for president in 2004 and only gained around 5% of the vote. Correspondents say he will face a series of economic challenges as the global economic downturn hits the crucial trade link of the Panama Canal.
Five years ago, Ricardo Martinelli only polled 5%
Panama receives a little under one-third of its tax revenues from the canal, but amid the global economic crisis traffic through the canal has slowed significantly.
Mr Martinelli will oversee the $5bn (£3.3bn) expansion of the canal to increase its capacity, making it big enough for supertankers and the largest container ships.
Five years ago when he stood for president he only gained around 5% of the vote.
But the BBC's Will Grant, reporting from the region, says this time around he appeared more in touch with the concerns of poor Panamanians by promising to clamp down on political corruption and get tough on violent crime.But the BBC's Will Grant, reporting from the region, says this time around he appeared more in touch with the concerns of poor Panamanians by promising to clamp down on political corruption and get tough on violent crime.
He has been critical of Mr Torrijos and Ms Herrera, whom he accuses of failing to tackle poverty while lining their pockets in the process.He has been critical of Mr Torrijos and Ms Herrera, whom he accuses of failing to tackle poverty while lining their pockets in the process.
In 2006 President Torrijos won a referendum on his proposal to widen the Panama canal, and economic growth during his administration has averaged around 8.5%.In 2006 President Torrijos won a referendum on his proposal to widen the Panama canal, and economic growth during his administration has averaged around 8.5%.
But Mr Martinelli spent heavily on marketing, an estimated $35m, and with his wife he crossed the country giving grants and other financial incentives to students.But Mr Martinelli spent heavily on marketing, an estimated $35m, and with his wife he crossed the country giving grants and other financial incentives to students.
He now faces a complicated task in government, our correspondent says.
Panama receives a little under one-third of its tax revenues from the canal, but amid the global economic crisis traffic through the canal has slowed significantly. Are you in Panama? Did you vote? What is your reaction to the result? Send us your comments using the form below:
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