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STATEMENT BY OAS SECRETARY GENERAL, JOSE MIGUEL INSULZA, ON THE ELECTIONS IN MEXICO

  July 3, 2006

The decision taken by the Federal Electoral Institute to refrain from naming a winner until a recount of all the votes cast on Sunday July 2 can be made, will prolong by several days the official announcement of a new President of Mexico.

This appears to be the only possible decision, given that the narrow results available at this time make it advisable to exercise utmost caution in order to respect the verdict of the citizens.

In this context, we congratulate all Mexicans for the exemplary manner in which they have faced an extremely contested electoral process, turning out to vote in large numbers, maintaining order and calm with minor exceptions, and complying with the decisions of their highest electoral body.

We underscore the role of the Federal Electoral Institute for the clarity of its statements and the sense of tranquility that it has been able to convey to the citizenship during this delicate process. Its management of the process has meant that, despite the minimum margin of difference in the numbers, the country is able to wait calmly for the final tabulations.

We are certain that the vote recount that will take place in the next days will be carried out with maximum transparency and in accordance with the law and that the candidates can have their rights recognized, but will respect in an unrestricted manner the final outcome. In a democracy, the candidate with the most votes wins and the commitment of democratic citizens is to support, with civic responsibility, the popular choice.

Reference: E-139/06