Entrevista del Consejero Electoral Martín Faz con Julio Hernández para Astillero Informa

Lack of Clear Rules Creates Advantages for Those Who Have Begun Early Party Activities Electoral Councilor Martín Faz pointed out that there are currently no guidelines in place to regulate early party processes for defining candidacies or similar figures, a situation that, he stated, benefits those already engaged in political positioning activities in anticipation of the 2027 elections. He explained that, three years ago, the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) determined that these types of exercises constituted unprecedented processes and ordered the National Electoral Institute (INE) to issue guidelines to guarantee the oversight of resources, the identification of participants, and the regulation of campaign materials. He clarified that these guidelines were not intended to prohibit these activities, but rather to establish clear rules for their implementation. Martín Faz recalled that, last March, Councilor Arturo Castillo urged the General Council to reinstate guidelines similar to those previously approved; he subsequently presented a proposal that was rejected. He added that Councilor Jorge Montaño also promoted a project, which was withdrawn from discussion twice, so the Institute still lacks specific regulations on the matter. He indicated that, in the absence of rules, those who have already begun political activities are not obligated to report expenses, submit lists of participants, or make transparent the origin and destination of the resources used, even though oversight falls under the INE (National Electoral Institute). He considered that this situation creates undue advantages for those with greater resources and affects the conditions of fairness in the election. EARLY CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES The Electoral Councilor explained that the jurisprudence in effect since 2018 establishes that campaign activities are only considered to have occurred when there is an express and unequivocal call to vote for or against a person for an elected office. Consequently, as long as there is no such explicit call, these actions are not considered early campaign activities. He also reminded everyone that political parties' internal processes must begin 30 days before the start of the pre-campaign period and that they are obligated to inform the National Electoral Institute (INE) of the method they will use to select their candidates. Faz pointed out that the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) ruled three years ago that the activities for the election of State Coordinators for the Defense of Transformation, in the case of Morena, are part of the ordinary activities of promoting citizen participation by political parties. Therefore, the TEPJF instructed the INE to issue guidelines to oversee the traceability of the resources allocated to these activities. He specified that, in the 16 states that will hold elections in 2027, the oversight of explicit calls to vote falls to the Local Public Electoral Bodies (OPLs). However, he insisted that the lack of guidelines from the INE allows these positioning activities to continue without accountability, which benefits those with greater financial resources. INE COMPOSITION On another topic, Martín Faz commented that the recent composition of the General Council has altered the internal balance, forming a majority bloc of seven or eight councilors. He described this situation as typical of the functioning of a collegial body and expressed confidence that it would stabilize over time. Finally, he expressed his disagreement with several appointments made unilaterally by the President of the INE, arguing that they should have been approved by a qualified majority of the General Council. He reported that he has challenged these decisions; however, he noted that the Electoral Tribunal has validated the appointed candidates, deeming them suitable for the performance of their respective duties.