Several Recall Processes Fail in Panama

Three recall processes have already been closed for failing to reach the required number of signatures. These were the processes initiated against the representative for Vacamonte, José Pérez, his substitute, Maygualida Sánchez, and the substitute representative for Juan Demóstenes Arosemena (Arraiján), Salvador Lobos. To date, only 211 signatures have been collected out of the 10,822 required to call a recall referendum in this constituency. This Monday, the registry of signature collection progress for recall mandates must be updated, and the reality is that none of the applicants have been successful. Eight processes remain open, including the one against the representative for Juan Demóstenes Arosemena, Raquel Murillo, which expires on December 23. "The truth is, most processes have seen low turnout," the official emphasized. The deadline for the petition against the mayor of Barú, Franklin Valdés, expires on December 28. As of last week, he had only gathered 5.69% of the required signatures. Rubén Darío González, director of the National Electoral Organization (DNOE) of the Electoral Tribunal, stated that the rules are clear and he feels that the applicants lack more dynamism to move the process forward. To date, he has only managed to collect five signatures when he needs 50,000. Moreover, this month, the deadline is beginning to expire for some of those who requested that a certain authority, chosen by vote, be subject to a referendum to determine if they can remain in their position. He added that in the final block of discussion of the National Commission for Electoral Reforms (CNRE), the proposed changes to the recall mechanism will be addressed. The deadline for the petitioner to recall the mandate of independent deputy Paulette Thomas, from circuit 8-3, expires on January 10.