Background on Salomón Jara and the Recall Process
Salomón Jara Cruz, the current governor of Oaxaca, Mexico, is facing a recall process for the first time at the state level. This unique democratic exercise has sparked controversy, with 30 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) accusing it of being a “democratic simulation.” Among the signatories are Iniciativas para el Desarrollo de la Mujer Oaxaqueña (Idemo), Unión Campesina e Indígena de Oaxaca Emiliano Zapata (Ucio-EZ), Unidad Anticapitalista de los Pueblos Organizados, Asamblea de los Pueblos Indígenas del Istmo en Defensa de la Tierra y el Territorio (APIIDTT), Centro de Apoyo al Movimiento Popular Oaxaqueño (CAMPO), Comité Nacional para la Defensa y Conservación de Los Chimalapas, and Consejo de Comunidades en Resistencia de Oaxaca (Ccoro).
NGOs’ Concerns
The NGOs argue that the recall process does not stem from a genuine popular demand for removal but is instead a political self-promotion strategy. They claim that the collection of signatures by the party in power undermines the true nature of the recall, turning it into an official endorsement act. The organizations describe this as “forced legitimization and facade use of democratic institutions.”
Calls to Vote
The Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) and the Instituto Estatal Electoral y de Participación Ciudadana de Oaxaca (IEEPCO) have urged Oaxacan citizens to participate in the recall process on January 25. According to the Lista Nominal de Electores de Oaxaca, as of December 31, 2021, three million 132,592 eligible voters in the state have been called upon to take part in this unprecedented democratic exercise.
Details of the Recall Process
INE and IEEPCO have collaborated on various aspects of the recall process, including creating educational materials, determining polling locations, forming election tables’ directors, accrediting and training observers, and monitoring electoral news dissemination and propaganda.
There will be 2,816 polling stations set up across Oaxaca, where voters can cast their ballots between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM on January 25. The question on the ballot is: “Do you agree that Salomón Jara Cruz, Governor of the State, should have his mandate revoked due to loss of confidence or allow him to continue in office until the end of his term?”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the recall process? The recall process is a democratic exercise that allows citizens to remove an elected official from office before their term ends due to loss of confidence.
- Who is Salomón Jara Cruz? Salomón Jara Cruz is the current governor of Oaxaca, Mexico, who is facing a recall process for the first time at the state level.
- Why are NGOs criticizing the recall process? NGOs argue that the recall process is a “democratic simulation” driven by political self-promotion rather than genuine popular demand for removal.
- How many polling stations will be set up, and when is the vote? There will be 2,816 polling stations across Oaxaca, and the vote will take place on January 25, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- What is the question on the ballot? The question on the ballot asks whether voters agree that Salomón Jara Cruz should have his mandate revoked due to loss of confidence or allowed to complete his term.
