Panamanians vote in election dominated by former president who was banned from running

By JUAN ZAMORANO
Associated Press

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panamanians head to the polls to vote in an election that has been consumed by unfolding drama surrounding the country’s ex-president, despite not even being on the ballot. Voters in the Central American nation on Sunday will weigh promises of economic prosperity and migratory crackdowns with a corruption scandal. The presidential race remained in uncertain waters until Friday morning, when Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that leading presidential contender José Raúl Mulino should be permitted to run. Mulino joined the race late, replacing former President Ricardo Martinelli as the candidate for the Achieving Goals party. Martinelli was barred from running in March after he was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering.