Mexico's Historic Judicial Election Faces Criticism and Low Turnout

Mexico recently held its first judicial election, allowing citizens to vote for over 2,600 judges at both federal and local levels. Despite this historic event, voter turnout was notably low, with only 12-13% of the electorate participating. President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the election as a success, but critics, including PRI leader Alejandro Moreno, labeled it as lacking transparency. The election faced challenges such as budget cuts and limited time for preparation, leading to a significant reduction in polling stations.

Reform supporters argue that the election is essential to combat judicial corruption, while opponents fear it could politicize the judiciary. The election was also marred by concerns about candidates' links to organized crime. Despite these issues, the ruling party Morena claimed victories in areas like Veracruz. As the nation awaits the final results, the government acknowledges the need for improvements in future elections, with plans to draw lessons for 2027.