Calderón declared winner, but opponent may demand a recount

MEXICO CITY, July 6 — An official tally of votes today showed that the conservative candidate, Felipe Calderón, had won a narrow victory in Mexico's presidential election. But his leftist opponent said he would demand a recount in court, and called for his supporters to demonstrate on Saturday.

Lopez Obrador immediately denounced irregularities in the vote count and said he would launch a "peaceful and legal" effort to overturn Calderon's victory before Mexico's Federal Electoral Tribunal — and in the court of public opinion.

His decision not to concede defeat was a sign that Mexico is still far from having a new president. It also meant that the next move belongs to a special tribunal set up to handle electoral disputes, a court that has never before been ask to make such a momentous ruling.

Even though a winner has been declared, Mexico will now likely face many more days of political uncertainty.