Cortizo declared winner in Panama's polls, opposition candidate cries foul play

Panama's electoral tribunal declared presidential front-runner Laurentino "Nito" Cortizo the winner of Sunday's election with 95 per cent of votes counted, following an unexpectedly tight race.

The second-place candidate, Romulo Roux, trailed two points behind and has not yet accepted defeat. The tribunal's results are preliminary and will be followed by a formal announcement.