Too Close to Call

At 10 p.m. CST, the 2006 Mexican Presidential election is too close to call. The left leaning PRD canidate, Andres Manuuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), and the conservative PAN canidate, Felipe Calderon, are within a 1 point margin, and prelimiary results will not be reported by Mexican media until 2:00 a.m. CST. Even after the Mexican media takes a guess on the winner in the early Monday a.m., the official results are not expected until 8:00 CST on Monday evening - more than 24 hours from the time when the last poll booths closed.

What greater test for an emerging democracy than an election that is too close to call? While Mexico lags behing its big brother to the north in almost every political and economic measure, they may have the U.S. beat on election controls. Not only has a clear system been layed out for calling the closest election in Mexican history, but there are foreign election monitors from the UN and other international groups watching over to make sure justice prevails.

From just observing the short lines, efficient computerized voting cards, and the voting sites located every 5 blocks or so in Mexico City, I think voters can feel safe that their voices will be heard. We all await expectantly to hear whether Mexico will offer new hope to its poorest people through the victory of left-leaning (AMLO) or whether it will remain on the same path established under Fox with a victory by business focused Panista, Calderon.

It is my wish that hope reigns, that Mexico remains stable with the change of power, and that Mexico continues to grow into an innovative democracy with new solutions and leadersip for all of Latin America.