By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    United Nations
    4th International Conference On Financing For Development Delivers Renewed Hope And Action For Sustainable Development
    3 months ago
    The African Development Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) scale up drive for sustainable urbanization in Africa
    AfDB, UN-Habitat Scale Up Drive For Sustainable Urbanisation In Africa
    3 months ago
    UN
    North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel
    3 months ago
    UNICEF
    How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF
    3 months ago
    UNDP
    UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil
    3 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    African Union Member States Pledge To Improve Nutrition And Food Security In Africa
    3 years ago
    Climate Change: How Women Weather The Storm In Sudan
    3 years ago
    New Visa Requirement For Namibian Nationals Visiting the United Kingdom
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Canada–Africa Chamber Of Business: Delegates From Nigeria, Kenya, SA, DR Congo Visit Hamilton To Strengthen Trade And Investment Links
    3 days ago
    Four African Cities Awarded CRA’s African Urban Heat Resilience Grants 
    1 week ago
    Gov Sanwo-Olu Hails Lagos Nomination As Intra-African Trade Fair Host
    1 week ago
    New AfDB President Set Youth Target In 100 Days, To Prioritise Reforms, Partnerships
    2 weeks ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Nobody Can Hijack Our Mandate, Vows Osun Gov, Adeleke
    3 years ago
    PDP To Osun People: Oyetola Is A ‘Political Leprosy’, Run For Cover
    3 years ago
    UI Alumni Association Hails Okowa’s Giant Strides In Delta State
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    NSC Chairman To Engage With Youth And Sports Stakeholders At The Nest Centre
    1 month ago
    Edo District Bye-election: SDP Candidate, Hon. Isidahomhen Promises To Pursue Best Interest Of Esanland 
    1 month ago
    PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Takes Oath Of Office
    2 months ago
    Gov Adeleke’s Outburst Against Aregbesola Shows Sign Of A Drowning Man – ADC Group
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Latest News
    SP Abimbola Olabisi Appointed As New Lagos PPRO
    2 days ago
    At Polish-Nigerian Economic Forum, Lagos Makes Case For Partnership, Trade Investments
    3 days ago
    798 Pensioners Paid N1.52B In Lagos State
    1 week ago
    Unlock Your Potential: NEXIM MD Inspires Nigerian Youth To Pursue Their Passions, Highlighting Opportunities In Non-oil Value Chains
    2 weeks ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Nigeria’s Glo(W)Ing Entertainment Industry: 19 Years Of Strategic Partnership
    3 years ago
    2023 Polls: Stay Tuned To These Channels On GOtv For Breaking News And Analysis 
    3 years ago
    Family, Friends Celebrate As Princess Zara Raji Turns Two
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    BBNaija S10: Joanna, Mide, and Isabella Clash as Denari and Tracy Exit the House
    3 days ago
    Akamai Adaptive Media Player 2: Bitmovin And Akamai Set New Streaming Standard
    1 week ago
    France Télévisions Hits Record Digital Engagement With Its Roland-Garros 24×7 Channel Powered By Wildmoka
    1 week ago
    Hello Mr Right Naija Season 3: Love, Drama And Surprises Await This September!
    2 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Pilgrimage To Israel Not Tourism Jamboree, Lagos First Lady Warns
    3 years ago
    Hilton to Debut Canopy by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Brands in Nigeria
    1 year ago
    Lagos SWAN Holds Cultural Sports And Traditional Fashion Fiesta
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Preserving African Culture: Polaris Bank , Chivita, And Danone Support CIKDAS’ Youth Literary Initiative
    2 weeks ago
    Nigeria, Switzerland Takes Major Steps Towards Repatriation Of Artifacts And Cultural Cooperation
    3 weeks ago
    Archbishop Ugorji Hails St. Helen’s Choir As One of the Best Choirs in Owerri Archdiocese
    3 weeks ago
    Lagos Tourism Ministry Visits Heritage Sites For Inventory, Documentation
    4 weeks ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Gov Abiodun Showcases Ogun Investment Opportunities At AfCFTA In Algeria
    1 week ago
    Intra-African Trade Fair
    Nigeria To Host Intra-African Trade Fair In 2027
    2 weeks ago
    Bank of Agriculture
    How Nigeria-Brazil Pact Will Boost Agricultural Investment, Food Security – BOA
    2 weeks ago
    Nexim Bank Boss To Engage Young Nigerians With Non-oil Export Opportunities For Wealth Creation At Breakfast Session
    3 weeks ago
    ₦46B in pre-launch transactions.
    After ₦46B Pre-launch Transactions, Fidelity Bank Unveils PAPSS In Nigeria
    1 month ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    NCDC Activates Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre In Nigeria
    3 years ago
    UNAIDS: Fully Financing HIV Response In Africa Will Save Millions Of Lives
    2 years ago
    How To Avoid Urinary Tract Infections During Sex
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    CAPPA Commends FG Health Tax Policy, Renews Call for Higher Sugary Drinks Excise Duty
    1 week ago
    Jubilation In Ebonyi As FG, State Govt Activate MAMII To Safe Pregnant Women And Babies
    2 weeks ago
    Abakaliki Agog As MAMII Train Enters Ebonyi State
    2 weeks ago
    LASU Professor Wins Distinguished Meritorious Obstetrics and Gynecological ICON Award
    2 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Panama Goes To Poll
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > International > Panama Goes To Poll
International

Panama Goes To Poll

Last updated: 2024/05/05 at 6:49 AM
1 year ago
Share
Panama
SHARE

Following Martinelli’s recent conviction in Panama, José Raúl Mulino, his running mate and former public security minister, stepped in. Despite bypassing party selection processes, the Supreme Court rejected the constitutional challenge to his candidacy. Mulino has also faced scrutiny for corruption allegations on embezzlement. He spent six months in jail and despite lengthy journalistic investigations on the matter, charges against him were dropped. 

The rest of the candidates have denounced they don’t have equal opportunities or resources. The ruling party, for example, has been accused of using state resources to influence the elections, creating an uneven playing field for all candidates. 

This Sunday, Panamanians head to the polls to elect a new president amid controversy and uncertainty. The country grapples with institutional fragility, tight margins in the polls and the lack of a runoff election. This intensifies the ongoing political crisis, fueled by social inequality and corruption protests in recent years.   

Former President Ricardo Martinelli, once the front-runner, was disqualified following a ten-year sentence on money laundering charges. He was convicted in July 2023 for his involvement in the “New Business” case, where companies that won bids during his presidency sent over US$40 million to a ghost company owned by him.  

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

In 2021, former president Martinelli pleaded guilty to money laundering and his son confessed to the acceptance of bribes before a New York court linked to the large-scale money laundering and bribery scheme of the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.  

The slogan for the leading campaign asserts, “Martinelli is Mulino and Mulino is Martinelli.“. While disconcerting, Mulino’s lead on the polls can be attributed to the economic growth during Martinelli’s administration, driven by the construction of the first metro line and the expansion of the Panama Canal.

Former Panamanian president and presidential candidate Ricardo Martinelli (R) and vice-presidential candidate Jose Raul Mulino participate in a political rally in Panama. Photo: /AFP

Regardless of the election, Panamanians recognise corruption as a big problem. With a score of 35 points on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the country’s lowest since 2012, it’s clear there hasn’t been enough progress in ensuring transparency and accountability. The fight against corruption has seen both progress and challenges. 

Even though authorities are launching more investigations, cases often stagnate or don’t reach the courts. As the election approaches, tensions escalate, creating a dangerous situation that could cause social unrest and violence. We call on authorities to ensure a fair and peaceful electoral process, safeguarding the rights of all citizens.   Despite the election outcome, hope remains. 

The incoming president has the power to create real change and effectively address corruption. Civil organizations advise the new government to strengthen legal frameworks, reinforce laws against public administration crimes, implement anti-bribery laws, and protect whistleblowers, journalists and activists from judicial harassment. Legal reforms are also needed to ensure transparency in officials’ financial disclosures and conflicts of interest, as well as to improve public access to information. 

You Might Also Like

4th International Conference On Financing For Development Delivers Renewed Hope And Action For Sustainable Development

AfDB, UN-Habitat Scale Up Drive For Sustainable Urbanisation In Africa

North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel

How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF

UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil

TAGGED: Panama
INadminNG May 5, 2024 May 5, 2024
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Lagos Football Will Bounce Back, Chairman Reassures Stakeholders
Next Article Ondo Govt Set To Boost Water Supply, Orders Rehabilitation Of Owena Dam
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?