Border residents react to election ruling

BY BRYON WELLS, SUN STAFF WRITER
Sep 5, 2006

Residents along the San Luis border say turmoil from Mexico's presidential election can be felt in the neighboring communities.

Mexico's top electoral court voted unanimously on Tuesday to reject allegations of fraud and certify Felipe Calderon's victory as president-elect. Calderon defeated his leftist rival, Andres Manual Lopez Obrador, by 233,831 votes out of 41.6 million.

The tribunal's decision is final and cannot be appealed and came almost two months after voters cast their ballots. In recent months, protests throughout the country have furthered a political divide.

Emma Torres, executive director of Campesinos Sin Fronteras in San Luis, said she believes the bitter election dispute has torn Mexico.

"I think that most Mexican people are probably a little confused," Torres said. "Nothing like that has ever happened. I think it is sad Mexico is so divided. People are not pleased."