Monday, July 7, 2008

The Renovation of Mexico's Federal Electoral Institute

By Dr. José Enrique Vallarta Rodríguez

On June 20, during 2008's first special session of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, by a vote of 357 deputies in favor and 20 opposed, three new General Council members of the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) were elected.  And with this election, of María Macarita Elizondo Gasperin, Francisco Javier Guerrero Aguirre and Alfredo Figueroa Hernández as Electoral Councilors, the second phase of the staged replacements to the General Council of the IFE was consolidated.

Even though one prior condition, on strengthening the participation of women on the General Council, has yet to be fully met there has been no criticism of those elected by opinion leaders and political groups.  All of which means that those elected must meet the approval of the majority of Mexico's parliamentary representatives in the 500 member Chamber of Deputies.

The new IFE council members are seen as brilliant, honest and honorable professionals, specialists on electoral matters.  Well educated, efficient and effective in the government positions they have held, all three meet the standards set in order to hold their new positions.

As well, the appointments consolidate a new institutional stage, with its course of action that the IFE must follow in order to accomplish new attributes that are the result of Mexico's electoral reforms.  Moreover, there are now a numbers of areas of opportunity for the IFE.

1.   Improving the IFE's relationship with the political parties.  The IFE suffered a great deal of wear and tear due to the 2006 federal elections.  To a degree, the close presidential contest placed the image and credibility of the Institute in question, which makes reconciliation with the political parties necessary.  Whereas by law the political parties are represented on the General Council of the IFE, an open relationship of electoral councilors with the political parties that provides a framework of respect, independence and autonomy, as well as fluid channels of communication between the electoral authority and the parties, is indispensible.

2.   Coordination and cooperation in relations with radio and television concessionaires.  The new electoral legislation subjects electronic media concessionaires and permit holders to the IFE's election standards, and if warranted the IFE is empowered to sanction media violators.  The IFE's new responsibility will be to gain this sector's trust as a reliable interlocutor that is capable of creating understanding without losing its authority or hierarchy as established by law.  Proper coordination between the IFE and the media will be a cornerstone in the improvement of Mexico's democratic system, and this will require cooperation, understanding and adherence to the law so that there can be mutual trust and support in order for the Institute to act firmly should there be any attempt to violate the law.

3.   Administrative replacements and the internal downsizing of IFE.  The changing of Electoral Councilors necessitates changes throughout the leadership ranks of the executive and general offices of the IFE, as well as a paring down of the Institute internally.  The mandate of the people and the election reforms is to recover trust and credibility, and to reduce the costs of Mexico's electoral system.  The restructuring of the IFE requires professionals who are specialists on election matters, who can also put an end to duplicity in operational functions and personnel excesses.

4.   Strengthening ties with the Federal Electoral Tribunal (TEPJF).  The current lack of coordination with the TEPJF must end, and a new stage of institutional collaboration and fluidity must begin.  The IFE's challenge is to rebuild this relationship that, due to management errors, has been neglected and eroded in recent years.

The IFE is part of the patrimony of the Mexican people.  Based originally on convictions of confidence, certainty, legitimacy, legality and impartiality in our electoral system, Mexico is about to recapture these principles as trust in the institution and its credibility is returned.

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José Enrique Vallarta Rodríguez, a MexiData.info guest columnist, received his doctorate in Mexican Electoral Law from the National Autonomous University of Mexico.  Mexico City-based, he has worked for the Federal Electoral Institute.

Translation MexiData.info