MEXICO-ELECTION/VOTING Violence clouds Mexican midterm elections

Record ID: 150345

  • Title: MEXICO-ELECTION/VOTING Violence clouds Mexican midterm elections
  • Date: 7th June 2015
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (JUNE 07, 2015) (REUTERS) VOTING STATION ELECTION CREDENTIALS ELECTION OBSERVERS FROM THE ORGANISATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS) OAS LOGO CHIEF OF FOREIGN VISITORS MISSION OF THE OAS AND FORMER COSTA RICAN PRESIDENT, LAURA CHINCHILLA, WITH ELECTION OBSERVERS CHINCHILLA SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHIEF OF FOREIGN VISITORS MISSION OF THE OAS A
  • Embargoed: 22nd June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAB4QYV0XQ7KIPZ7DU90ZPI3LMS
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: International observers were at polling stations in Mexico City on Sunday (June 07) to oversee midterm elections that have been plagued by a spate of violence around the country has killed at least seven candidates and forced another 20 out of the race.
    Former Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla heads a mission from the Organisation of American States (OAS) of hundreds of observers and experts from more than 20 countries. According to local media, it will be the most watched midterm election in Mexico's history.
    "We have faith and that is what is hoped. I know that this is the feeling of the vast majority of Mexicans that this process will be peaceful and there will be no physical threat on people. There is no need for aggression for an electoral vote and for people to vote accordingly," said Chinchilla.
    More than 85 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots for nine state governorships and more than 1,000 state and municipal posts.
    A top concern for Mexican voters is security. Drug-ravaged states like Guerrero will be voting for a new local government, the first since 43 trainee teachers were kidnapped last year in a feared student massacre which has implicated government officials.
    "They (authorities) need to have more security in place to protect people because there are people losing their lives because they're attacked, assaulted because of the things they do. Violence is out of control," said local, Jesus Garcia.
    As well as international observers, thousands of federal police officers and soldiers have been mobilised across Mexico to ensure violence does not destabilise the vote.
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