MEXICO: Voters in Mexico's most populous state have overwhelmingly elected the Institutional Revolutionary Party's (PRI) candidate for governor, Enrique Pena Nieto, amid reports of widespread campaign spending abuses.
The election in the state of Mexico was seen as a forerunner for next year's presidential race because of its large number of registered voters - more than 8.8 million - and because it often reflects national voting patterns. Analysts see the victory as boosting the presidential ambitions of Mr Pena Nieto's patron, the outgoing governor Arturo Montiel.
With 75 per cent of the vote counted, Mr Pena Nieto had 47 per cent, comfortably ahead of Rubén Mendoza Ayala of the National Action Party (PAN) with 25 per cent, and Yeidckol Polevnsky of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) with 23 per cent. Turnout was a low 42 per cent and no violence was reported.
The boyish-looking Mr Pena Nieto proved an effective campaigner who appealed especially to women. But the state congressman also benefited from the inexperience and gaffes of his two main opponents and from millions of dollars in PRI campaign spending, much of it on giveaways to prospective voters.
Candidates from the losing parties are expected to contest the results on that basis.
"I will vote for the PRI because they are people who know how to govern. All we have had under these mayors is more violence and marches in the street," said housewife Aida Leal Alvarez as she lined up with her two daughters to vote for Pena Nieto.
But the PRI had for weeks been openly trying to buy voters' loyalty. On the morning of June 23rd, a Los Angeles Times reporter saw about 50 women here receive what they described as their regular Thursday morning despensa, or handout, from pick-up trucks sent by the PRI. After showing a voting credential, each woman received a bag containing beans, rice, soap, cooking oil, toilet paper and sugar.
"Yes, candidate Pena Nieto has helped us, and also relatives of mine near Toluca who have received construction supplies and clothes," said Maria Contreras, a 45-year-old housewife, as she waited in line for the handouts. "He is very generous."
The PRI victory in the state of Mexico, which has 15 million residents, may affect the dynamics of the PRI presidential nomination process, possibly strengthening Mr Montiel's challenge to front-runner Roberto Madrazo.
Mr Madrazo, the current leader of the party, has rejuvenated the PRI and built a substantial following after its devastating loss in the 2000 presidential race.
The victory by Vicente Fox of the PAN marked the first time in 71 years that the PRI failed to win the nation's top office.
Allegations of campaign fraud have dogged Mr Madrazo and opponents within the party claim he is unelectable. Mr Montiel is one of several PRI governors and one senator fighting Mr Madrazo's nomination. - (LA Times-Washington Post service)