Regarding the organization of electoral processes, the fourth proposal consists of maintaining the “regime of government neutrality and impartiality in the elections.”
This would imply preserving the constitutional prohibitions established in Article 134, which prohibit the use of public resources in campaigns or in supporting parties; During elections, government propaganda is limited and personalized promotion of public servants is also restricted.
It is also proposed that for the electoral authorities, in Mexico technical independence and the career civil service must prevail, which would leave them free from political interference.
To this end, it is proposed that the integrity of the appointments of its members must be protected, “ensuring budget sufficiency and maintaining the stability of the National Electoral Professional Service.”
Regarding the organization of electoral authorities, the sixth proposal includes strengthening electoral federalism and local infrastructure, that is, maintaining the Local Public Electoral Bodies (OPLE) “as indispensable entities for the organization of elections in the states.”
Finally, it is suggested not to go back, but to continue the progress that Mexico has already made to enable all Mexicans to vote. For example, until now the possibilities of voting abroad, early voting, voting in preventive detention and electronic voting have been expanded.
Now “the progressive expansion of voting modalities” must be ensured and therefore mechanisms that are already applied must not be removed; “reforms should focus exclusively on eliminating technical obstacles to voting.”
The concerns
The document states that there is special attention to the reform that could prosper, since once again it is the federal government and Morena that are the driving party.
“The government’s proposal to introduce a new electoral reform raises serious concerns that such an initiative could also undermine the integrity of elections and democracy in Mexico,” as López Obrador’s “Plan A” and “Plan B” proposals were aimed at.
Therefore, it is recalled that Mexico is a State party to the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and its Constitution establishes compliance with the obligations derived from international law, so the country is obliged not to move backwards in democratic matters.
Thus, when reforming the Constitution, “Mexico is obliged to comply, under international law,” with a minimum standard of characteristics, it is indicated.
Among them is that there is no regressivity in the electoral changes; ensure that the electoral system is effective, that it preserves representative democracy, pluralism, guarantees the freedom of voting, that the government is neutral during the elections and that the electoral authorities are independent and technically competent.
