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Mexico
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes
Source: Constitution, art. 53 Electoral Law, art. 118, 128
Last updated: 2008-02-05 20:16:38 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
b. Respecting natural barriers
c. Compactness of constituencies
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns
g. Other
Comments: In addition, the perimeter of each constituency is expected to have a regular geometric shape (square, rectangle, rhomb). The idea is that the distances between all corners of the district are connected. It is all taken into account while elaborating the project to draw the electoral boundaries.
Source: Electoral Law, art. 128
Last updated: 2008-02-05 20:16:38 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Carlos Navarro
b. Job Title: Director of Electoral Studies
c. Organisation: Federal Electoral Institute
d. Contact Address. Viaducto Tlalpan 100, Arenal Tepepan, Mexico City, 14610
e. Telephone: (5255) 5628-4234
f. Facsimile: (5255) 5655-7012
g. Email: [email protected]
Last updated: 2005-10-13 18:38:07 UTC
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
f. None
Source: 1917 Federal Constitution through 2004 reforms (current).
Last updated: 2005-10-13 18:44:17 UTC
DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Comments: Mexico is a federal state where each of the 31 states and the Federal District are free to adopt direct democracy instruments for their own jurisdictions. Only in the state of Veracruz, referendum is mandatory to approve reforms to the local Constitution.
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:21:30 UTC
DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Comments: Mexico is a federal state where each of the 31 states and the Federal District are free to adopt direct democracy instruments for their own jurisdictions. About a half of the states have established some form of DDI on an optional basis.
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:25:59 UTC
DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:26:43 UTC
DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Comments: Mexico is a federal state where each of the 31 states and the Federal District are free to adopt direct democracy instruments for their own jurisdictions. About a half of the states have established some form of DDI.
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:27:27 UTC
DD21 Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:27:51 UTC
DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:28:58 UTC
DD23 Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:29:16 UTC
DD24 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No
Source: Constitutions and electoral legislations of the 31 states and the Federal District.
Last updated: 2005-10-13 23:29:44 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Instituto Federal Electoral
b. Full Address Viaducto Tlalpan 100, Col. Arenal Tepepan, México, D.F 14610
c. Telephone 5255 5449 0450
d. Facsimile 5255 5449 0448
e. Email [email protected]
f. Website Address www.ife.org.mx
h. Information Officer Abelardo Martín
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Spanish
Source: Carlos Navarro, Director of the International Affairs Unit, IFE
Last updated: 2008-01-28 20:32:30 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
Source: Constitution, art. 41
Last updated: 2008-01-29 21:04:54 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
d. A national government department
Comments: IFE elaborates its own budget independently. However, it has to be sent to the Poder Ejecutivo (Executive Power) for it to be included in the National General Budget, which is submitted to the Congress for approval.
Source: Electoral Law, art. 118
Last updated: 2008-01-29 21:04:54 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature
Source: Mr. Carlos Navarro, Director of the International Affairs Unit.
Last updated: 2008-01-28 20:32:30 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years
Comments: b. Six years for the President (twelve if he is reelected) and nine (9) years for the rest of the councilors. IFE is an institution of a permanent kind. The main directive body is the General Council, composed of nine members (President and eight Electoral Councilors) who have "voice and vote" (not only can they express their opinions but also vote when a decision needs to be taken), all of whom are appointed by the Congress. Besides, the General Council is composed of one representative of each registered national political party (8 nowadays), and from one Councilor of each parliamentary group (8 nowadays), as well as from the Executive Secretary of IFE. None of the formers has the right to vote.
Source: Constitution, art. 41 Electoral Law, art. 110.
Last updated: 2008-01-29 21:04:54 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
a. estimated total: 515500000
b. Exchange rate used 9.5 pesos per US dollar
Last updated: 2008-01-28 20:32:30 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 5
Last updated: 2007-10-19 16:23:23 UTC
EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?
a. USD/registered voter 8.8
b. Exchange rate used 9.5 pesos per USD
Last updated: 2007-10-19 16:23:23 UTC
EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?
a. Voter registration and preparation of voter lists 20.6%
b. Election Management Body administration 13.1%
e. Official funding of parties and candidates 42,1%
f. Voter education 8,3%
i. Polling operations 9,1%
Last updated: 2007-10-19 16:23:23 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
b. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Source: Constitution: Art. 80 and 81. Electoral Law: Art. 9.
Last updated: 2008-02-04 14:24:27 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
a. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: The presidential period lasts for 6 years. Under no circumstances is reelection permitted.
Source: Constitution: Art. 80, 81 and 83. Electoral Law: Art. 9.
Last updated: 2008-02-04 14:24:27 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes
Comments: President Felipe Calderón (since December 1st, 2006).
Source: Constitution: Art. 80.
Last updated: 2008-02-04 14:24:27 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers
Comments: The Chamber of Deputies has 500 members, elected for a three year term, 300 of whom are elected in single-seat constituencies by plurality, with the remaining 200 members elected by proportional representation in 5 multi-state, 40-seat constituencies. The Chamber of Senators has 128 members, elected for a six-year term, 96 of them in three-seat constituencies (corresponding to the nation's 31 states and one Federal District) and 32 by proportional representation on a nationwide basis. In the state constituencies, two seats are awarded to the plurality winner and one to the first runner-up.
Source: Constitution: Art. 50, 53 and 56. Electoral Law: Art. 10 and 11.
Last updated: 2008-02-04 14:24:27 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
e. Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
Comments: The Federal Chamber of Deputies has 500 members, elected for a three year term, 300 of whom are elected in single-seat constituencies by plurality, with the remaining 200 members elected by proportional representation in 5 multi-state, 40-seat constituencies. Immediate re-election is not permitted, however, deputies can be re-elected after one electoral period has passed. Out of the 500 members, 300 are elected through the principle of plurality (relative majority) in identical number of single member districts. The other 200 seats are assigned through a PR system based on party lists in five multimember constituencies (40 seats in each) It is very important to mention two constitutional provisions regarding the integration of the Chamber of Deputies: 1. Under no circumstance, a party or electoral coalition can hold more than 300 seats, regardless of the voting percentage cast in its favor. 2. As a general rule, no party or electoral coalition can obtain a total of seats that exceeds by more than 8 points the percentage of votes cast in its favor. For example, if a party gets 40% of the total voting, it may not have more than 48% of all the seats, that is to say, 240 out of the 500. On the basis that there is some relation between the seats obtained by the plurality system and those assigned by PR, some scholars use to classify this systems as mixed member proportional(MMP). The case can be discussed, but we would simply say that the Mexican systems falls somewhere between a pure segmented system like the Russian and a pure MMP system like the German.
Source: Constitution: Art. 51-55 and 59 Electoral Law: Art. 11-17.
Last updated: 2008-02-04 14:24:27 UTC
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable Na
Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:11:06 UTC
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
Comments: The basic provisions about the electoral regime are embodied in the Constitution, but a separate and specific legislation details all aspects related to the preparation, organization and running of federal elections, including the legal regime of political parties (Federal Code on Electoral Institutions and Procedures).
Source: Constitution: Art. 41.III. Electoral Law: Art. 1, 2 and 3.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 18:17:08 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
Source: Electoral Law: Art. 1.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 18:17:08 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Comments: Voting is a right and an obligation but there are no formal sanctions.
Source: Constitution: Art. 35.I and 36.III. Electoral Law: Art. 4.1.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 18:17:08 UTC
LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
c. Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal
Comments: The EMB (Federal Electoral Institute) is only responsible for settling some very specific disputes in first level. Most of the formal complains and disputes are settled, in first or last level, by the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation, this means that the Electoral Tribunal, that is a specialized and autonomous body of the Judicial Branch of the Federation.
Source: Constitution, art. 41 and 99. The specific provisions in this matter are embodied in a General Law on Electoral Challenges (GLEC)
Last updated: 2007-10-08 18:17:08 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
g. Other (specify)
Comments: 30 per cent of the total time is distributed on an equal basis regardless of size and previous performance, and 70 per cent according to performance at the previous election.
Source: Electoral Law: art. 56 International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2008-02-11 19:10:33 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
a. Amount (Euros) X
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X
Comments: Political parties can only spend money on paid advertising for its production, since the time on the air is provided by the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE).
Source: Electoral Law: art. 49
Last updated: 2008-02-11 19:10:33 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
a. Yes, in presidential elections
Source: Electoral Law: art. 70
Last updated: 2008-02-11 19:10:33 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 09:03:49 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement
Comments: Every three years there is a chance for political organizations to formally apply to become new national political parties. They should have a number of affiliates that represents not less than 0.26% of the total amount of registered voters for the previous federal process, including at least 3,000 affiliates in 20 of the 32 states, or 300 in at least 200 of the 300 federal districts. An already registered national political party (nowadays there are eight) does not need to register for every national election.
Source: Electoral Law, art. 24
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:33:24 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement
Comments: The political party that obtains or keeps its register at the national level, can postulate candidates for all sort of elections, including the national and local elections.
Source: Constitution, art. 41
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:33:24 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
j. Other
Comments: 21 years old One should not be a ministry of any religious cult. In addition, there are other temporal obstacles such as holding a public post. However, this can be overcomed by resigning before the elections.
Source: Constitution, art. 55 Electoral Law, art. 7
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:33:24 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
j. Other
Comments: 25 years old One should not be a ministry of any religious cult. In addition, there are other temporal obstacles such as holding a public post. However, this can be overcomed by resigning before the elections.
Source: Constitution, art. 58 Electoral Law, art. 7
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:33:24 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
a. Neither in presidential nor legislative elections
Source: Electoral Law, art. 218
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:33:24 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Source: Constitution, art. 41 Electoral Law, art. 48 and 77
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:33:24 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance
b. Based on result of previous election
Comments: 30% of the public funding is equally distributed among all the political parties represented in the Congress. On the other hand, 70% of the public funding is distributed in accordance with the result of the previous election for the Chamber of Deputies. There are provisions for direct public funding of recently created political parties.
Source: Electoral Law, art. 78 International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:33:24 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: Electoral Law, art. 273
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:43:32 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
c. Automatically (triggered) recounted under certain conditions
d. By request
Source: Electoral Law, art. 295, 297 and 298
Last updated: 2008-02-11 18:43:32 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
Comments: It is IFE's responsibility to design and deliver voter education programmes as well as information programmes during electoral periods. However, other organisations and institutions (such as national groups of observers and national political associations) do take these kind of initiatives too.
Source: Constitution, art. 41 Electoral Law, art. 104 and 132
Last updated: 2008-02-05 20:39:32 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
a. Continuously
Source: Mr. Carlos Navarro, Director of the International Affairs Unit, IFE
Last updated: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 12:45:20 GMT
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments: There are also a limited number of "special" polling stations for those voters who are located outside their voting locality.
Source: Electoral Law, art. 239 and 244
Last updated: 2008-02-11 16:43:39 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
Comments: Mexicans abroad can vote only in the presidential elections.
Source: Electoral Law, art. 313
Last updated: 2008-02-11 16:47:57 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
e. By mail
Source: Electoral Law, art. 316
Last updated: 2008-02-11 16:52:12 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes, the maximum capacity is: 750
Last updated: 2008-02-11 16:43:39 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: Electoral Law, art. 265
Last updated: 2008-02-11 16:54:16 UTC
VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
a. The smallest polling station: 7
b. The largest polling station: 7
Last updated: 2008-02-11 16:43:39 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Source: Constitution, art. 34 and 35
Last updated: 2008-02-05 21:09:09 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
Comments: In order to exercise the right to vote, citizens should be registered in the Federal Electoral Register and must obtain their "electoral card" to vote (all of which can be done for free at any of the IFE offices in the country).
Source: Constitution, art. 34 Electoral Law, art. 6, 175 and 176
Last updated: 2008-02-05 21:09:09 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Source: Constitution, art. 41 Electoral Law, art. 104
Last updated: 2008-02-05 21:09:09 UTC
May 20, 2008 08:19 AM
