Panamanians go to the polls today

Press, 7 May 1984, Page 6

Panamanians go to the polls today

NZPA-Reuter Panama City • Panamanians will vote in presidential elections today for the first time in 16 years of military rule after an assurance by Panama’s military leader, General Manuel Antonio Noriega, that he will defend their rights. But stores reported that customers had been stockpiling basic foods and necessities over the last two days in fear of post-election violence. Diplomatic and political sources have said, they fear a narrow defeat for the Opposition could lead to violent protests of fraud. General Noriega, who is chief of the National Guard, said in a televised speech yesterday the defence force would “remain always under the protection of God, as guarantor institution of the citizens’ liberty and the integrity of the nation.” Diplomatic and political sources said his brief statement, which he delivered flanked by his entire staff, showed no bias towards the official candidate, Mr Nicolas Ardito Barletta.

General Noriega has pledged that the armed forces will return to their barracks after the elections, but diplomats and Opposition politicians believe the guard could intervene if the

results are not to their liking. President Jorge Illueca appeared on television after General Noriega and called for clean elections, saying this was the only way to achieve economic, social and political stability. Future stability in Panama, which has escaped the violence of neighbouring countries, depended on the re-establishment of democracy, he added. The Opposition candidate, Mr Arnulfo Arias, aged 82, who has been elected president three times but ousted each time by the National Guard, is expected by diplomatic and political sources to win again on his anticorruption 15 platform. The victor will be inaugurated on October 11, the anniversary of a coup in 1968 by the late National Guard commander Omar Torrijos.

With no reliable polls available, the only indication of Mr Arias’ popularity is the heavy turnout at his rallies.

Half of the 900,000-strong electorate has never voted before. Voters will choose a president, two vice-presi-dents and 67 legislators under a system which could result in the winner dealing with a legislature which opposes him.