Info
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments: The basic provisions about the electoral regime are embodied in Article 41 of Mexico’s Constitution, but separate and specific legislations detail all aspects related to the preparation, organisation and running of federal elections (General Law on Electoral Institutions and Procedures); there is another one on the legal regime of political parties (General Law on Political Parties); one more on direct democracy (Referendum Law); and, finally one on recalls (Recall Law).
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos", art. 41: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-constitucion-2024/ ;
Electoral Law: "Ley General de Instituciones y Procedimientos Electorales": https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lgipe-2024/ ;
Political Parties' Law: "Ley General de Partidos Políticos": https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lgpp-2024/ ;
Referendum Law: "Ley Federal de Consulta Popular": https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lfcpo-2024/ ;
Recall Law: “Ley Federal de Revocación de Mandato”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lfrm-2022/ ;
Election Regulations: “Reglamento de elecciones”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-reglamento-elecciones-2024/
Verified: 2024/04/12
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections
Comments: The General Law on Electoral Institutions and Procedures is enforced nationally. It also distributes powers between the Federation and the states and establishes the relationship between the INE (National Electoral Institute) and the local electoral management bodies.
Source: Electoral Law: "Ley General de Instituciones y Procedimientos Electorales", art. 1: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lgipe-2024/
Verified: 2024/04/12
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: Voting is a right and a civic obligation, but there are no formal sanctions.
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos", arts. 35(I), 36(III): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-constitucion-2024/ ;
Electoral Law: "Ley General de Instituciones y Procedimientos Electorales", art. 7(1): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lgipe-2024/
Verified: 2024/04/12
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
c . Specially Appointed/Elected Electoral Tribunal
Comments: The EMB (National Electoral Institute) is only responsible for settling some very specific disputes in first level. Most of the formal complaints and disputes are settled, in first or last level, by the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation, which is a specialized and autonomous body of the Judicial Branch of the Federation.
Source: Constitution: "Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos", art. 99: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-constitucion-2024/
Verified: 2024/04/12
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