Background on the Judicial Election 2025
The Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE), Mexico’s autonomous electoral body, has launched a platform for citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs) to report potential candidates for judicial positions who may not meet the constitutional “8 of 8” requirement against gender-based violence. This initiative falls under the framework of the Extraordinary Electoral Process 2024-2025, aimed at selecting various positions within the federal judicial power.
Understanding the “8 of 8” Requirement
The “8 of 8” requirement mandates that candidates for judicial positions must demonstrate their commitment to preventing and eradicating gender-based violence. This includes having eight measures in place to address such issues, ensuring a safer and more equitable environment for all.
Who is the INE?
The Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) is Mexico’s independent, autonomous electoral body responsible for organizing and supervising elections at the federal level. Established in 2014, it plays a crucial role in ensuring free and fair elections by overseeing political parties, candidates, and electoral processes.
Why is this relevant?
This initiative by the INE aims to uphold the integrity of the judicial selection process and ensure that candidates for these important positions are committed to combating gender-based violence. By allowing citizens and CSOs to report potential violations, the INE fosters transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
What can be reported?
Citizens and CSOs can report candidates who may not meet the “8 of 8” requirement based on ten possible grounds for ineligibility outlined in the current legislation. These include:
- Having a conviction for crimes such as family violence, sexual assault, political gender-based violence, or being a debtor who has not paid child support (alimentos moroso);
- Being a fugitive or fugitive from justice;
- Having lost political and electoral rights.
How to report a candidate
Interested parties can access the portal del PEEPJF 2024-2025 and navigate to the “Citizen Information 8 of 8” section. Here, they can fill out a form detailing the candidate’s full name, the position they are seeking, the alleged crime, location of the incident, the relevant federal entity, and—if available—the case number or sentencing documents.
What will the INE do with this information?
The INE will verify the reported information through an interdisciplinary team, led by the Executive Secretariat and supported by local and district councils. The information-gathering phase will remain open until the candidate assignment stage.
If a candidate is flagged, they will be notified and given three business days to present evidence in their defense.
The first round of potential findings will be reviewed on May 12, 2025, and reported to the INE’s General Council.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of this initiative? The INE aims to ensure that candidates for judicial positions are committed to combating gender-based violence by allowing citizens and CSOs to report potential violations of the “8 of 8” requirement.
- What are the grounds for reporting a candidate? Candidates may be reported if they lack eight measures to prevent and eradicate gender-based violence, have a criminal conviction for related crimes, are fugitives from justice, or have lost their political and electoral rights.
- How can citizens report a candidate? Interested parties can access the portal del PEEPJF 2024-2025, navigate to the “Citizen Information 8 of 8” section, and fill out a form with relevant details about the candidate.
- What happens after a candidate is reported? The INE will verify the information and, if necessary, notify the candidate to present evidence in their defense within three business days. The first round of potential findings will be reviewed on May 12, 2025.
