Zedillo Backers Here Reject Claims of Fraud

After Mexican voters decided the ruling InstitutionalRevolutionary Party (PRI) would control that country's government forsix more years, a group of Chicago supporters of President-electErnesto Zedillo called the electoral process "fair," dismissingcomplaints of massive vote fraud.

Zedillo gathered about 48 percent of the vote Sunday, while theconservative National Action Party's (PAN) candidate, Diego Fernandezde Cevallos, received slightly more than 30 percent. The DemocraticRevolution Party's (PRD) Cuauhtemoc Cardenas came in third with 16percent.

George Loera, a local businessman and president of Chicago'sMexican American Chamber of Commerce, observed the balloting. Hetold the group gathered at a Chicago downtown hotel Monday that hehad been impressed by the participation in the generally trouble-freeelections.

"Eighty percent of the 45 million eligible voters cast theirballots," Loera said. He added that only about 1 percent of thevoters had difficulty casting their ballots.

Jaime Bermudez Sr., a Mexican entrepreneur from Ciudad Juarez inMexico, said the elections opened a new period of democracy for thenation.

He also acknowledged criticisms directed at Mexico becausenationals residing in other countries are not allowed to vote.

"It is constitutionally prohibited," he said, pointing out thatthe electoral process continues "to be fine-tuned."

Bermudez rejected the claims of fraud issued by PRD candidateCardenas.

"If Cuauhtemoc had won," Bermudez said, "he would haveprotested that result too."

Gabriela Bustamante, editor of La Raza, an influential newspaperin Chicago's Spanish-speaking community, told the Sun-Times after themeeting of Zedillo supporters that she agreed the elections had notbeen rigged. The newspaper closely monitored the balloting for itsMexican-American readers.

"There was not much opportunity to commit vote fraud," she said.

The speakers predicted that a two-party system would eventuallyestablish itself in Mexico, and the PRD would cease to be a factor.

"The PRD is very dependent on Cuauhtemoc," Bustamante said."When his popularity ebbs, the party will cease to be a strongpolitical force in Mexican politics."

For the Zedillo government, nevertheless, the electoral victoryis only a first step, Bermudez said.

"The easy part was getting elected," he said. "The hard partwill be to govern.