Elections in Mexico: Catholic Church asks politicians to reject cheating and fraud

The Catholic Church called on political parties competing in the elections on June 2 in Mexico to “reject illegal practices” such as “cheats and fraud” to win.

The Conference of the Mexican Episcopate (CEM) shared a statement this May 22, in which he urged the contenders to maintain a firm commitment “to democracy and civility,” and to avoid the temptation to deviate “from the law and political ethics.”

The 2023-2024 electoral process, considered by the National Electoral Institute (INE) as the largest in the history of Mexico, contemplates the election of 629 positions at the federal level, including 128 senators, 500 deputies and a new president of the Republic, who will succeed Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Given the importance of these elections, the CEM indicated that “it is not convenient for anyone to win as a result of knowingly cheating and fraud,” which is why it urged all participants to “reject illegal practices so as not to taint the process and put the results at risk.”

Likewise, the Mexican bishops asked the civil authorities who are about to leave their positions “not to interfere unduly by violating the law, tarnishing their image for the rest of history.”

On the other hand, the statement also addressed its message to the country’s electoral authorities – the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF) and the National Electoral Institute (INE) -, whom it asked to exercise their responsibilities with “professionalism, with adherence to electoral laws and the ethics of responsibility and civility.”

Recognizing the limitations faced by electoral authorities, the bishops noted that “it is time to manifest their impartiality for the good of the country, strengthening democracy and defeating all attempts at electoral fraud.”

They urged the Mexican Armed Forces to defend “legality and the conservation of social peace” during the electoral process, as well as, in the “ultimate instance,” “limit the actions of those who do not accept the results.”

Bishops ask that elections be held in peace

Furthermore, the Mexican bishops asked citizens not to be “afraid to go out and vote” and encouraged them not to allow coercion “either to vote or not to go out to vote; nor to do so through gifts, threats or pressure of any kind.”

“We all have the right to vote freely; “Our vote is secret and as such, it must be fully respected,” the bishops stressed.

However, they recognized the challenges of the electoral process in Mexico, especially with regard to the safety of citizens and candidates.

For this reason, they asked the authorities “to protect citizens and candidates for elected positions from attacks by organized crime.”

They also demanded that the authorities protect citizens from any group that tries to “influence the electoral process with threats, violence and even murder, seeking their illegitimate interests.”

“An exhortation for them to refrain from their dastardly actions is of no use; they are words that fall into the void. The only thing that stops them is the rule of law that civil authorities must ensure,” said the CEM.