Background on Criminal Organization Involvement in Elections
The Federal Electoral Tribunal (TEPJF) has documented instances of criminal organizations interfering in electoral processes through various rulings it has issued. As a reform electoral is being analyzed, it’s crucial to propose and display measures that prevent and address irregularities caused by criminal groups’ involvement in elections.
Historical Cases of Criminal Interference
Examples of such interference can be found in several cases, including:
- 1997 in Las Margaritas, Chiapas: Gerrilleros affected over 20% of the polling stations in the electoral district.
- Torreón, Coahuila; Veracruz gubernatorial election in 2010; Nahuatzen, Michoacán; Ahuazotepec, Puebla.
- 2010 Veracruz gubernatorial election: Urneas were stolen.
- Michoacán gubernatorial election in 2021: Urneas were also targeted.
These cases highlight the need for robust measures to safeguard elections from criminal interference.
Proposed Measures to Secure Elections
Pre-election measures:
- Bancarize all private contributions to political actors to ensure legitimate origins.
- Create a public database with the registration of all candidacies.
- Implement electronic mechanisms allowing citizens, candidates, and political parties to submit anonymous denunciations.
- Provide protection for candidates in high-risk areas and, if necessary, their families.
- Promote digital campaigning in unsafe regions.
Election day measures:
- Implement internet-based advance voting in high-risk areas, potentially including postal (mail) voting.
- Establish secure voting centers with public security presence to receive citizens’ votes.
- Transfer election results computation venues to safer locations, such as local or national electoral organisms’ offices.
For participatory democracy exercises like Revocación de Mandato:
- If a candidate’s victory is proven to have been influenced by criminal organizations, their mandate should be immediately revoked.
Criminal Organization Tactics and Their Impact on Elections
Criminal organizations employ tactics such as pressure, threats, and illicit financing that compromise election integrity and threaten democratic stability.
Collective Responsibility for Democracy Protection
The responsibility to protect democracy does not solely lie with electoral authorities; all citizens must participate in the debate and collaborate to ensure safe and reliable voting for everyone.
About the Author
Electoral Magistrate of TEPJF
