Mexico president in polls challenge

Mexicans are set to vote in local elections in what is being billed as a referendum on Felipe Calderon, the Mexican president, his government and his National Action party, or PAN.

Calderon declared war on the drug traffickers in 2006 and deployed thousands of troops and federal police, but four years later the violence has swelled.

The drug cartels are also accused of funnelling money to political campaigns, hoping for favourable treatment when their preferred candidates are elected.

The opposition Institutional Revolutionary party, or PRI, which ruled Mexico for more than 70 years, is predicted to do well.

Al Jazeera’s Mariana Sanchez reports.