Mexicans vote ‘no’ on oil reform; turnout far below expectations

Organizers of a nonbinding referendum say Mexico City residents voted against the president’s proposal give private companies a bigger role the country’s state-run oil industry.

More than 80 percent of those who voted Sunday in the capital oppose President Felipe Calderon’s plan, according to results from nearly 98 percent of the vote.

Results still are being tallied in nine states that participated out of 31 states in Mexico.

The leftist Democratic Revolution Party, which organized the referendum, said turnout was lower than anticipated with about 800,000 Mexico City residents participating. The vote does not directly affect the bill in Congress.

AP