University of Panama Electoral Body rejects appeal against new rector's election

The University of Panama's University Electoral Body (OEU) has rejected a bid to nullify the rector election held on July 1, ruling that the appeal did not meet the necessary requirements.

The appeal was filed by lawyer Jonathan Brown Racine on behalf of Professor Manuel Óscar Lasso Ramos. The OEU concluded that the challenge failed to individually detail the facts supporting each alleged irregularity or explain how these constituted grounds for nullification.

Furthermore, the electoral body stated that the appeal did not meet the magnitude threshold outlined in Article 96 of the University Electoral Regulations. It was limited to questioning voting at the Soná University Extension, without proving that any potential nullity could change the election's result.

The OEU's resolution noted that by the time the appeal was evaluated, 175 out of 200 polling stations had been counted. Candidate José Emilio Moreno held 55.594% of the weighted vote, while Migdalia Bustamante Villarreal had 19.894%. The OEU determined that even if all remaining votes were awarded to the second-place candidate, the outcome would remain unchanged.

Based on these findings, the University Electoral Body unanimously decided not to admit the nullity appeal against the election of the University of Panama's rector. This decision was made during OEU Plenary Meeting No. 011-2026 on July 6, 2026, in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.