General

Panamanians Head to Polls to Elect New President

Panamanians will head to the polls in Sunday’s general election to elect one of eight contenders to be the nation’s next president and vote for hundreds of local lawmakers and officials.

Following weeks of campaign events, over three million voters will decide who is best placed to fix Panama’s pressing economic problems.

Jose Raul Mulino, a former minister who replaced ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, is leading in opinion polls. Mulino has promised to usher in prosperity.

Panama’s electoral rules do not require a run-off, making Sunday’s result final. Campaigns have said they will send volunteers to the polls to oversee voting and ensure a fair election.

No single party is forecast to win control of the legislature, where 885 seats are up for grabs.

Source: Qatar News Agency