(Reuters) - Panama's top court kicked off an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to decide on the constitutionality of the presidential candidacy of the former running mate of ex-President Ricardo Martinelli, just days before the election.
Jose Raul Mulino joined the race in March as Martinelli's replacement, after Martinelli was removed from the race due to a nearly 11-year sentence for money laundering. Recent polls place Mulino as the favorite to win the May 5 vote.
(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire and Kylie Madry; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle)
