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Mexicans Want Recount, Think Calderón Won
- Many adults in Mexico believe a review of the latest presidential election is in order, according to a poll by Ipsos-Bimsa. 48 per cent of respondents support holding a recount of every ballot.
Mexican voters chose their new president on Jul. 2. On Jul. 6, official results placed Felipe Calderón of the governing National Action Party (PAN) as the winner with 35.88 per cent of all cast ballots, followed by Andrés Manuel López Obrador of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) with 35.31 per cent.
Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) president Luis Carlos Ugalde announced the official tallies, adding, "The golden rule of democracy establishes that the winner is the candidate with the larger number of votes." European Union (EU) election monitors did not report any irregularities in the vote count. 59 per cent of respondents have a positive view of the IFE.
On Jul. 10, López Obrador filed a legal challenge to the election result, alleging widespread fraud and calling for a hand recount of every ballot. The Federal Electoral Tribunal (TRIFE) must issue a ruling before Aug. 31. A winner must be declared on or before Sept. 6.
On Jul. 28, López Obrador insisted on a recount, saying, "If Calderón is certain of his victory, he has no reason to remain opposed." 45 per cent of respondents think Calderón should be declared president elect, 26 per cent think López Obrador should be anointed, and 20 per cent would annul the election.
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose holding a recount of every presidential ballot?
Yes | 48% |
No | 28% |
Neutral | 24% |
Do you have a positive or negative view of the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE)?
Positive | 59% |
Negative | 17% |
Neutral | 22% |
Who should be declared as president elect?
Felipe Calderón | 45% |
Andrés Manuel López Obrador | 26% |
Election should be annulled | 20% |
Source: Ipsos Bimsa
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Mexican voters, conducted from Jul. 21 to Jul. 24, 2006. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.