Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PANAMA2112
2006-10-27 14:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
PANAMA CERTIFIES CANAL REFERENDUM RESULTS- 78
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHZP #2112 3001426 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 271426Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9245 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//J5/J2/POLAD//
UNCLAS PANAMA 002112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA CERTIFIES CANAL REFERENDUM RESULTS- 78
PERCENT VOTED YES
REF: PANAMA 2066
UNCLAS PANAMA 002112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA CERTIFIES CANAL REFERENDUM RESULTS- 78
PERCENT VOTED YES
REF: PANAMA 2066
1. (U) The official results of the October 22 Canal
expansion referendum were 705,144 "yes" votes in favor of
expansion (77.80 percent) and 201,247 "no" votes (22.20
percent). There were 9,967 blank ballots cast and 7,673 null
votes, where voters marked both options. Panama's Junta
Nacional de Escrutino (JNE or National Counting Board)
certified the final results at an October 25 ceremony
attended by President Torrijos, various political parties,
and groups that had supported the "yes" and "no" vote
campaigns. Some "no" supporters, including the National
Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights
(FRENADESO),demonstrated outside the ceremony.
2. (U) The Canal referendum was the only vote in Panamanian
history to win with such a wide margin and overwhelming
mandate, said President Torrijos in his speech. He added
that no one group, from the "yes" or "no" side, could claim
responsibility for the low voter turnout -- the JNE certified
that voter participation was 43.32 percent. (Comment:
Explanations Poloffs have heard for low voter turnout include
public confidence in the "yes" vote win, difficulty for some
voters in reaching their assigned voting places, and the
soccer matches on television. End Comment.)
3. (U) Overall, the Electoral Tribunal noted that the
referendum voting was fair and transparent. The Organization
of American States election observer mission drew the same
conclusion in its mission report.
ARREAGA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA CERTIFIES CANAL REFERENDUM RESULTS- 78
PERCENT VOTED YES
REF: PANAMA 2066
1. (U) The official results of the October 22 Canal
expansion referendum were 705,144 "yes" votes in favor of
expansion (77.80 percent) and 201,247 "no" votes (22.20
percent). There were 9,967 blank ballots cast and 7,673 null
votes, where voters marked both options. Panama's Junta
Nacional de Escrutino (JNE or National Counting Board)
certified the final results at an October 25 ceremony
attended by President Torrijos, various political parties,
and groups that had supported the "yes" and "no" vote
campaigns. Some "no" supporters, including the National
Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights
(FRENADESO),demonstrated outside the ceremony.
2. (U) The Canal referendum was the only vote in Panamanian
history to win with such a wide margin and overwhelming
mandate, said President Torrijos in his speech. He added
that no one group, from the "yes" or "no" side, could claim
responsibility for the low voter turnout -- the JNE certified
that voter participation was 43.32 percent. (Comment:
Explanations Poloffs have heard for low voter turnout include
public confidence in the "yes" vote win, difficulty for some
voters in reaching their assigned voting places, and the
soccer matches on television. End Comment.)
3. (U) Overall, the Electoral Tribunal noted that the
referendum voting was fair and transparent. The Organization
of American States election observer mission drew the same
conclusion in its mission report.
ARREAGA