Panama’s Electoral Tribunal (TE)has given the thumbs down to  Ricardo Martinelli’s attempt to run for mayor of Panama  or  for deputy in the May 5 elections leaving the former president screaming “Electoral fraud” at media when he entered  a courtroom on Friday, April 26  for the continuation of his illegal wiretapping trial

With the ruling controversial deputy Sergio Gálvez, a self- described “sexual buffalo” may  . of Martinelli may be the mayoral candidate and Mayín Correa the 8-8 circuit CD  deputy nominees, and mayor of Panama, Sergio Gálvez.  

The document containing s the decision of the magistrates is dated April 25, 2019, and was made public on  Friday morning. 

The appeal decision bears the signature of judges  Eduardo Valdés Escoffery and Alfredo Juncá; while  Heriberto Araúz saved his vote.

The magistrates argued that the candidacies of Martinelli to mayor of Panama and deputy for the circuit 8-8 are inadmissible.

The candidacies were challenged by Rubio and the lawyer David Ramírez, because, in their his opinion, they do not comply with  the Electoral Code, which establishes that to run as the main or alternate candidate of mayor, councillor or representative of corregimiento, requires "to be a resident of the corresponding electoral district, at least one year before the date of the election". Martinelli  was in a Miami detention center for  a year from June 12, 2017, and  since his return to Panama on June 12, 1018, has been held in El Reanacer prison

Rubio said that, after the decision of the TE, the electoral panorama is already clear, with a view to the elections of May 5 next. He also said that a clear message is sent that in the next electoral reform "we are beginning to put order". In his opinion, the current Electoral Code "is very permissive."

  Rómulo Roux, CD presidential candidate said "It is an injustice, not only for Ricardo Martinelli but also for democracy and for Panamanians,"The two candidatures of Martinelli had been presented by the Democratic Change and Alliance parties. With this ruling, the magistrates explain that both Correa and Gálvez can participate in the next elections, but without alternates