Mexico to start partial recount

Christina Hoag
McClatchy Newspapers
Aug. 9, 2006 12:00 AM

MEXICO CITY - Authorities are set to start today on a partial recount of ballots cast in Mexico's tightest presidential election in history, heightening the political tumult that has pervaded the country since the divisive July 2 vote.

One hundred twenty-seven magistrates will supervise the recount of votes in 9 percent of the country's polling places, as second-place candidate Andrés Manuel López Obrador continues to press for a full ballot recount with widening public protests.

On Tuesday morning, his supporters blocked motorists from paying tolls on five highways leading out of the capital city for about four hours. On Monday, his followers launched a campaign to heckle President Vicente Fox at his public appearances, yelling "traitor" as he inaugurated a highway in Puebla.

Thousands of protesters camping in tents have blocked Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma and historic downtown for the past 10 days and show no signs of tiring, much to the ire of residents and businesses.

López Obrador has vowed to continue his "peaceful civil resistance" measures until a full vote recount is realized. He maintains that error and fraud cost him the election, which was won by National Action Party's Felipe Calderón by only 244,000 votes, a margin of 0.6 percent.