In Panama election, Mulino surges ahead in early vote count

Mulino was one of the favorites for the presidency after he replaced popular ex-President Ricardo Martinelli on the ballot after Martinelli was barred from running due to a money laundering conviction. Martinelli played a key role in the election despite being holed up in Nicaragua's embassy in Panama's capital, where he sought asylum.

Panama's former security minister Jose Raul Mulino built a commanding early lead in the country's presidential election with almost half the votes counted, preliminary data showed on Sunday.

With more than 45% of the ballots tabulated, Mulino was pulling ahead with 34% of the tallied votes, with second placed Ricardo Lombana getting 25%. Mulino was one of the favorites for the presidency after he replaced popular ex-President Ricardo Martinelli on the ballot after Martinelli was barred from running due to a money laundering conviction.

Martinelli played a key role in the election despite being holed up in Nicaragua's embassy in Panama's capital, where he sought asylum. Many voters saw Mulino as a proxy for Martinelli, though opponents called him a puppet of the former president. Nicaragua granted Martinelli asylum but Panamanian authorities have blocked him from leaving the country. Mulino visited Martinelli at the embassy after casting his vote on Sunday.

Whoever wins the presidency will face a daunting task of mending social divisions and regaining the faith of an electorate fed up with political graft. The new president will also need to fix Panama's pressing economic problems, tackle corruption, and restore the country's reputation as an investment haven.

Mulino has promised to usher in prosperity through ambitious infrastructure investment and to keep Martinelli out of jail. Ricardo Lombana, who also ran in the past election, has portrayed himself as an anti-corruption crusader who promised cuts to government spending.

Magali Rosa, 60, a retiree, said she voted for Mulino because she felt he could bring more jobs and improve security, and that during the presidency of his backer, Martinelli, there was "a lot of money" for everyone. Panama's electoral rules do not require a run-off, making Sunday's result final. Results are expected within a few hours and the winner will take office on July 1 for a five-year term.

No single party is forecast to win control of the legislature, where 885 seats are up for grabs.

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