Fabiola Martinez
La Jornada Newspaper
Monday, December 15, 2025, p. 17
Among the institutional priorities, Gilberto Bátiz, president of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF), intends to “identify gaps and duplicate functions” in this highest instance, especially in the face of the changes of the judicial reform and towards the mega-election of 2027.
Next year, the TEPJF will have a fund of 3,749 million pesos, an amount close to the request of 4 billion, and similar to the budget scope of recent years.
In accordance with the document Axes and institutional priorities, related to his management as president (November 2025 to October 2027), the magistrate suggests preparing an organizational diagnosis of the TEPJF and highlights the importance of making decisions in a collegiate manner.
It proposes analyzing “the mapping of functions, processes, hierarchies and spans of control, the use of systems that allow identifying gaps and duplicate functions and the impact of the objectives of the reform on the processes, attributions and workloads of the substantive areas.”
From this, define “the rational structure of the TEPJF considering the optimization of processes and technological innovation and develop the transition plan, as well as an internal communication plan.”
In the tasks, he warns, there are two elements to consider in the short term: an electoral reform – currently being planned by the Presidency of the Republic – and preparations towards the 2027 mega-election.
That year the Chamber of Deputies and 17 governorships will be renewed; Likewise, in 31 entities, with the exception of Coahuila, there will be elections for local councils, while in 30 (Durango and Veracruz would be missing) there will be races for mayors.
In addition, half of the positions in the federal Judiciary, and the local courts and magistrates in 24 entities, will be in dispute.
In this context, Bátiz is committed to “guaranteeing the continuity of the functions” of the court under his charge, but also reorganizing the structure, both of the upper chamber – whose sentences are final – and of the regional chambers.
In the transition period due to the administrative restructuring derived from the judicial reform, he added, it is necessary to generate certainty, promoting an orderly transition that does not put at risk the substantive work of the TEPJF.
“Any negative perception about the impact of the administrative readjustment must also be avoided or reduced, repositioning the TEPJF as the highest jurisdictional electoral authority and specialized body of the Judicial Branch of the Federation, as recognized by the Mexican Constitution.”
Throughout the text, reference is made to the need to provide a justice service with a social sense, reliable and efficient.
Rethink relationship with INE
“Electoral justice is aimed at achieving political equality, legitimizing electoral results and contributing to democratic governance,” which is why it is essential to provide “comprehensive responses” to political conflicts.
In operational terms, it seeks to “rethink” the relationship with the National Electoral Institute (INE), responsible for integrating or substantiating projects that eventually lead to a sanctioning procedure.
Currently, the final resolution is determined by the higher court because as a result of the judicial reform the specialized regional court disappeared.
The objective, indicates Bátiz, is to “break down the barriers that prevent the participation of all people in the enjoyment of their political-electoral rights.”
