Mexican court names winner in disputed election

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) -- Felipe Calderon became president-elect of Mexico on Tuesday, two months after disputed elections, when the nation's top electoral court voted unanimously to reject allegations of fraud and certify his narrow victory.

Chief judge Leonel Castillo's recommended that Calderon should be certified as winning the ballot by 233,831 votes out of 41.6 million cast, down slightly from his earlier lead of 240,000.

The Federal Electoral Tribunal's ruling cannot be appealed, and Calderon's leftist rival, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, already vowed to ignore its finding, which came after weeks of legal challenges and street protests that have disrupted Mexico City's central district.

Tuesday's long-awaited ruling is unlikely to end potentially explosive protests or close the growing political divide gripping the country.

Castillo's recommendation was greeted by thundering fireworks, set off by dozens of protesters gathered outside the court.

"This has been fraudulent from start to finish. Today, nothing will be decided," said Claudio Martinez, 23.

The draft recommendation rejected Lopez Obrador's "dirty campaign" allegations.