Recount sought for 'fraudulent' Mexican election

Lawyers for Mexico’s leading leftist presidential candidate were preparing their case yesterday for a ballot-by-ballot recount, alleging that the July 2 election – Mexico’s closest presidential race ever – was marred by fraud and a dirty campaign.

Dozens of reporters were waiting for Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s lawyers to arrive and turn over to the nation’s top electoral court evidence backing up the candidate’s allegations, which include claims of computerised manipulation. Three soldiers kept watch, but the scene was calm.