INE Rejects Cancelling Risky Judicial Candidates; “Attribution” Was of the Committees

Background on INE and Its Role

The Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) is Mexico’s independent electoral body responsible for organizing and supervising elections at the federal level. Its primary role is to ensure free, fair, and transparent electoral processes.

The Controversy: Cancelling Risky Judicial Candidates

In a unanimous vote, the INE’s General Council rejected a request from the presidents of both chambers of Congress to cancel the candidacies of 26 individuals running for positions in the judicial branch. The presidents argued that these candidates did not meet constitutional requirements, citing 18 cases of lacking good reputation and 8 cases of insufficient overall grades.

Reasons for INE’s Decision

Consejera Dania Ravel Cuevas explained that the INE does not have constitutional or legal authority to cancel candidacies, especially during campaigns. The responsibility for verifying candidates’ eligibility and qualifications originally belonged to the evaluation committees of each branch of government.

Moreover, Consejero Arturo Castillo Loza emphasized that the judicial reform enshrined in the Constitution assigned evaluation responsibilities to these committees. They are tasked with assessing candidates’ compliance with requirements, identifying the best-qualified individuals with necessary technical skills and a history of honesty, good public standing, competence, and academic/professional background in legal practice.

INE’s Authority and Responsibilities

The INE can review the eligibility of elected candidates and verify compliance with requirements during the election-qualification process. Consejera Presidenta Guadalupe Taddei Zavala highlighted that making judgments about candidacies at this stage of the campaign, 24 days before the election, could negatively influence voters’ preferences.

Key Questions and Answers

1. What is the INE’s role regarding candidate eligibility? The INE can review elected candidates’ eligibility and verify compliance with requirements during the election-qualification process.
2. Why did INE reject the cancellation request? The INE does not have constitutional or legal authority to cancel candidacies, especially during campaigns. This responsibility originally belonged to the evaluation committees of each branch of government.
3. When can the INE analyze candidate eligibility? The INE can analyze candidate eligibility after the election results are determined, focusing on those with a chance of receiving a majority.
4. Why is it improper for Congress to request eligibility reviews? Congress lacks the authority to issue substantive judgments on candidate eligibility, as per the electoral agreement.