Election Sunday
The president is elected for a single six-year term. Polling stations open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Exit polls are expected by 8 p.m.
KEY CANDIDATES
Enrique Pena Nieto, 45, of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. The telegenic former governor married to a soap-opera star has led polls. He has suggested allowing private investment in Mexico's state-run petroleum company and de-emphasizing arrests of drug-cartel bosses in favor of reducing violent crimes that most affect ordinary citizens.
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, 58, of the left-leaning Democratic Revolution Party. The former Mexico City mayor narrowly losing to President Felipe Calderon. He says he wants to keep Pemex state property, make Mexico self-sufficient in energy and food production, and fund new social spending and jobs program by cutting waste and corruption, not raising taxes. He also has called for more U.S. economic aid.
Josefina Vazquez Mota, 51, of the National Action Party. She is a former secretary of education and social development in the conservative administrations of President Vicente Fox and his successor, Calderon. She has struggled to distinguish herself from Calderon and has pledged to continue Calderon's war on drug cartels, increase penalties for public corruption and ease rules on hiring and firing employees in order to spur economic growth.
Gabriel Quadri de la Torre, 57, of the New Alliance Party. The party has links to the powerful teacher's union.
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