The realization of electoral reforms for a better result in the general elections of 2024, If Congress sets them for that year, it must overcome parliamentary conflicts of interest, according to specialists. A key controversy is from those who answer to leadership who want to maintain control of the selection of candidates.
The reform that establishes open, simultaneous and mandatory primary elections goes against the interest of those who, managing parties, decide who They run for the presidency of the country, for Congress, for regional governments and for mayors.
In these primary elections, citizens must choose, among the proposals of the parties, who will be candidates: the electoral offer is not defined by leadership political groupsbut by the population.
Choice. It seeks to change rules to improve results. Photo: diffusion
Although the standard for conducting these primary elections took place in 2019, it was already suspended three times. For this reason, there were no parliamentary elections in 2020, the general elections in 2021, or the regional and municipal elections of the current year.
“It is the most important reform that has been left aside. they don’t want it the parties in some cases because they feel that the almost monopoly of the designation of candidates is taken away from them, and in others due to ignorance. This time there is time to do them, there is no excuse for not doing them,” he says. the political scientist Fernando Tuestateacher of the Catholic University (PUCP)former president of the 2019 Political Reform Commission and former head of the ONPE (National Office of Electoral Processes).
Tuesta estimates that, if the general elections for April 2024 are confirmed, the primaries would be the second or third week of January of that year. All citizens vote to define the electoral offerwhich will no longer depend only on parties.
The realization of this reform justifies applying another: the removal of preferential vote to elect congressmen. This is because in the primary elections the citizens already express their preference when defining who will integrate the lists of candidates for the Parliament and the order of these.
“It is perfectly possible the application of the electoral reforms approved in 2019. There is reasonable time to apply them. However, there is a permanent and systematic attack on the autonomy and independence of electoral bodies and harassment of government authorities. National Jury of Elections and the ONPE by some benches. This undermines the balance of powers and the guarantee of free, fair and democratic elections”, says the lawyer Jorge Jaureguiexpert in electoral law.
He warns that it is essential that the changes in the electoral legislation do not establish political vetoes against potential electoral contenders of the parties that legislate.
Constitution. Guerra García key group, before Juárez. Photo: composition LR
The fujimorista congressman Hernando Guerra García, president of the Constitution Commission, He has said that he will prioritize bicameral projects, requirements to be a candidateprohibition of electoral nepotism and covert re-election, non-destruction of ballot papers, mid-term parliamentary renewal, change in electoral constituencies and the re-election of governors and mayors, among others.
The look at Congress It is key to not lose the reforms.
reactions
José Tello, Minister of Justice
“The Executive seeks to socialize a reform proposal in electoral matters, with the collaboration of the civil organization, the general secretaries of the political parties, as well as the lawyers”.
Fernando Tuesta, political scientist, PUCP
“Primary elections are the most important reform that has been left behind. The parties do not want it in some cases because they feel that the almost monopoly of the designation of candidates is taken away from them.
Nancy Vidal, constitutionalist
“It is important to ensure deadlines that allow the registration of parties to be completed, the primaries for a better legitimacy of the candidacies and to implement parity and alternation.”
