Thread: MEXICO: 1.1 Million Eligible, Less Than 100,000 Voted

Calderon Surprise Leader in Mexico Primary By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press Writer
Sun Sep 11,11:43 PM ET

MONTERREY, Mexico - Mexico's ruling National Action Party gave former Energy Secretary Felipe Calderon a surprise victory Sunday in the first round of its three-part presidential primary.

Three former secretaries from President Vicente Fox's Cabinet are vying for the nomination. Fox is prohibited by law from seeking a second term in the July 2006 election.

With nearly all ballots counted, Calderon received 46 percent of the vote, according to the National Action Party, or PAN.

Former Interior Minister Santiago Creel had 35 percent, and former Environment Secretary Alberto Cardenas received about 19 percent.

Creel had led preferences among party members for months. But Calderon has steadily gained in polls and performed well in a nationally televised debate last week.

Members of the center-right PAN from 10 Mexican states took part in Sunday's vote. The second vote is Oct. 2, and the third Oct. 23.

If no candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote in the first phase a second round will be held Nov. 6 between the top two contenders.

The voting kicked off the primary season among Mexico's three major political parties, which must register their candidates by January.

During 71 years of uninterrupted power â€â€

There are more illegal aliens in Louisiana (145,000) than the number of Mexicans who bothered to vote in the first round of elections this week.

And they wonder why they are oppressed.