Rodríguez Mondragón demands to ensure transparency in the election of ministers

Lilian Hernández and Fabiola Martínez

La Jornada Newspaper
Friday, October 18, 2024, p. 7

For the new challenge represented by the organization, surveillance and qualification of the election of judges, the magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF), Reyes Rodríguez Mondragón, affirmed that it will be essential foresee the measures that ensure that it is transparent, free of interventions by political parties, equitable and with legitimacy.

Although the most important thing, he added, will be to ensure judicial independence and that the budget for the National Electoral Institute (INE) includes an item labeled for electoral observation, in order to have complete elections.

In the midst of the protections against the reform of the Judicial Branch, of the pause that the electoral body determined while the upper chamber of the TEPJF does not resolve what they should do to continue with the preparations for the electoral process for judges, the magistrate considered that calling citizens to vote for judges without a specific budget it’s demagoguery.

For this reason, he pointed out that it is essential to apply rigorous electoral research and observation methodologies that ensure the veracity and objectivity of the data and analysis at all stages of the electoral process.

During his participation in the presentation of a report on the electoral integrity of the past process, prepared by more than 30 civil society organizations, Rodríguez Mondragón made this statement, in which he demanded the inclusion of civil society in the scrutiny and evaluation of the profiles for the different judicial positions.

On the other hand, when reflecting on the recent elections, he warned that given the undemocratic practices, omissions and violations of normsa comprehensive electoral reform is also necessary to regulate the next elections.

He admitted that since the internal processes of the political parties were presented to elect their presidential candidates, a gap between the established rules and the behavior of various political actors, since they violated legality and “departed from integrity.

In a political context that is constantly evolving, our rules must continue to ensure transparency, impartiality, equity, as well as the effective participation of all citizens. Only in this way can we continue strengthening the democratic institutions that we have built with effort and consensus over the years.he stressed.

The former president of the TEPJF and member of the upper chamber proposed to begin by disappearing the electoral prosecutor’s offices to give more teeth to the INE and the electoral court, so that they have the powers to impose sanctions.

We must recognize that criminal proceedings have not been effective in punishing illicit conduct and that, in any case, it is urgent to strengthen the investigation and sanction capacities of the INE and local institutes.he stressed.