The recent proposal for constitutional reform in electoral matters in Mexico has generated a wide debate and discussion in society. In this article, we will explore in detail the main aspects of this initiative and how it would impact the country's political and electoral system.
Reduction of public spending and promotion of citizen participation
The main objective of the Electoral Reform is to reduce public spending in the electoral system and promote greater citizen participation in the political life of the country. It seeks to strengthen governing and judicial bodies in electoral matters, as well as to standardize electoral processes throughout the national territory.
Political Party Funding: Precise Rules and Transparency
One of the highlights of the reform is the halving of public funding to political parties for electoral campaign spending. In addition, precise rules are established for financing through private resources, with the objective of ensuring transparency and avoiding excess of the limits indicated in the law. As a result, the resources provided will not be tax-deductible and it is forbidden for the same individual to donate in one year to more than one independent party or candidate and to apply resources obtained to cover previous electoral processes.
Access to the media and dissemination of political messages
The reform proposes a new model of political communication focused on the equitable access of independent candidates and political parties to the media, especially through radio and television. It seeks to ensure an effective dissemination of political messages during electoral campaigns.
From the start of the pre-campaigns and until the celebration of election day, 48 minutes a day will be allocated on each radio station and television channel to political parties, independent candidates and the National Institute for Elections and Consultations. This time will be distributed over two and three minutes for each hour of transmission.
Unification of authorities and strengthening of the electoral court
The initiative proposes to disappear the National Electoral Institute (INE) and create instead the National Institute for Elections and Consultations (INEC) as an independent electoral authority. It will be the only electoral authority in the country; that is, it will be responsible for organizing electoral processes throughout the Mexican Republic, including states and municipalities, so that local electoral bodies would disappear.
In the same way, it proposes to strengthen the Electoral Tribunal so that it is responsible for absorbing and resolving electoral controversies and conflicts in the country.
It also proposes that the Chamber of Deputies and Senators and the President of the Republic and the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation each submit 10 candidates to the Chamber of Deputies, so that, through free and secret voting, the heads of the INEC and the Electoral Tribunal can be elected.
Citizens' election and reduction in the number of legislators
Another important aspect of the reform is the implementation of direct election of the country's highest electoral authorities by citizens. In addition, it is proposed to reduce the number of legislators in the Chamber of Deputies, from 500 to 300, and plurinominal deputies will be eliminated.
The Senate of the Republic will be reduced by half and will consist of 64 senators, so there will be two representatives from each state.
It is added as a prohibition to carry out popular consultations on fiscal matters, including bases, rates and tariffs and on security matters such as those related to the National Guard.
The duration of the campaigns of senators, deputies and governors is extended, which will be 75 days. For the election of counselors, magistrates and ministers, the duration of the campaign will be 45 days.
Electronic voting and popular consultation
The proposal seeks to take advantage of technology to facilitate the exercise of electronic voting and promote citizen participation in the popular consultation and revocation of the mandate. With regard to the popular consultation and revocation of the mandate, it seeks to reduce binding participation by 10%; that is, if 30% of the citizens registered on the nominal list of voters participate, this will be binding and its results will bind the Executive and Legislative branches and other competent authorities.
Reduction of members of local congresses, city councils and mayors
The initiative proposes to establish criteria for defining the number of representatives in local congresses, as well as in the municipalities and mayors of Mexico City.
In the legislatures of the states, the number of representatives may not exceed 15 councils in those states whose population is less than 1 million people, and for every 500 thousand additional inhabitants, it may be increased by one deputy to a maximum of 45.
In relation to the municipalities of the states and the territorial demarcations of Mexico City, the same population criterion must prevail in the integration of municipalities and mayors.
In short, the constitutional reform in electoral matters represents a significant change in Mexico's political and electoral system. Its implementation will require a broad consensus and debate in the Congress of the Union, as well as a citizen consultation to evaluate its acceptance and viability. In the coming months, an intense debate is expected on this initiative and its possible implications for the future of the country.
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