Panama's general election began at 7:00 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) Sunday with the opening of 6,911 polling stations at 2,798 voting centers.
The polls will close at 4:00 p.m. local time (2100 GMT).
A total of 2,757,823 Panamanians are eligible to vote, according to the electoral roll. In addition, 7,725 voters cast their ballots from outside the country.
Panamanians will elect a president and vice president as well as 71 deputies to the National Assembly, 20 to the Central American Parliament, 81 mayors and nine councilors.
The change and flexibility of the requirement of signatures to register, have resulted in a greater participation in the elections of independent candidates to run for president. Of the seven candidates, three are independents.
Among the most important challenges facing the country ahead are the deficit in the system of social security fund, the fight against corruption, and the need for stronger and more independent institutions among the powers of the state.
According to a recent study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), although Panama has been the country with the best economic growth in the last 10 years in Latin America, with an average growth rate of 7.2 percent, it is still one of the countries with high inequalities.
The study recommended that for Panama to remain as a high-income country, it must maintain the momentum for logistical services, the tourism sector, digital economy and the creative and cultural industries. Enditem
