Mexico and Potential Electoral Law Reforms

By: Emely Cespedes

On Sunday, February 26th, thousands of Mexicans gathered and protested in Mexico City’s main plaza square. The reason for the protest: the proposal of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s electoral law reform in Mexico. Many Mexican civilians have viewed Obrador’s reform ideas as threats to a just democracy in Mexico. Moreover they believe their independence could be tampered with, with the passing of these reforms. Thus, if the electoral law reforms are officially established “they would cut salaries, funding for local election offices and training for citizens who operate and oversee polling stations. They would also reduce sanctions for candidates who fail to report campaign spending” (US News). This is why to many, these reforms are viewed as a step back for Mexico as a nation rather than a step forward. It brings back memories to many Mexicans of the country who lived through the 70s and 80s, where political parties had large power in the country and voter fraud was a common issue (NPR). Hence, it is feared that the reforms will open doors for the Mexican government to become the main controller of elections.

Although the president continues to advocate that the electoral reforms will end up benefiting the country as a whole, many citizens are still skeptical. As stated by the head of the National Electoral Institute, Lorenzo Cordova, the electoral reforms “seek to cut thousands of people who work every day to guarantee trustworthy elections, something that will of course pose a risk for future elections.” (US News). Nevertheless, President Obrador has expressed he has different intentions for implementing these electoral reforms than what protestors have come to believe. Obrador has denied all accusations of his proposed electoral reforms being threatening to Mexican democracy; instead he believes these accusations have been formed from an elitist perspective (NPR). Thus he says the electoral “institute spends too much money; (and) he says the funds should be spent on the poor” (NPR). Overall, these contrasting views are what has spurred the acts of demonstration seen in Mexico.

The electoral law reform proposals are intended to be signed in order to be put into action on Thursday. Nevertheless, the final word on these electoral law reforms will be determined by the Mexican supreme court. Thus, there will be more to come on this current pressing issue in Mexican politics in the coming days.

Sources:

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-02-26/tens-of-thousands-protest-mexico-elec toral-reforms

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/26/mexico-electoral-law-voting-democracy/

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/27/1159627617/tens-of-thousands-protest-mexicos-electoral-law-ch anges

Image Source:

https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/mercosur/mexico/reforms-have-changed-labor-rules-in-mexico/