A WEB

Sanitary Measures Adopted in Preparation for Mexico’s Largest Elections (National Electoral Institute of Mexico)

The elections on June 6 were the largest one yet in the history of Mexico: Voters elected over 20,000 posts. The elections had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To prevent the spread of the virus, the National Electoral Institute of Mexico (Instituto Nacional Electoral, INE) adopted new approaches, such as online voting for overseas Mexican voters, sanitary measures, and more. Here, the Secretariat shares an interview with INE discussing changes in election management for the recent elections.

▶Question: Which election(s) were held in 2021 in Mexico?

▶Answer: On June 6, 2021, historical elections were held in Mexico, electing 21, 368 officers, including 500 members of the Chamber of Deputies, 15 governors, and 30 state legislatures. This was the largest elections Mexico has ever held.

For these elections, INE newly implemented online voting, alongside regular postal voting, allowing citizens residing abroad to cast their ballots. 

The elections had a voter turnout of 52%, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Voter turnout in past elections was 47.7% in the 2015 legislative election and 44.6% in the 2009 legislative election.

▶Question: How did COVID-19 change the election process and election management? 

▶Answer: INE implemented sanitary measures in the 2020 local elections, which did not cause of a spike in COVID-19 cases in the relevant states.

Preparing for the 2021 elections, INE decided to create a specialized group called C-19, responsible for analyzing and proposing sanitary measures for all activities during the election period. Measures such as social distancing and mandatory use of face masks were implemented at all polling stations as well as during campaign rallies. Additionally, INE reduced the maximum number of people at any polling stations, and the same applied to the rallies as well. 

INE has authorized a limited number of personnel on-site and asked them to abide by the sanitary measures. Anyone who visits the headquarters or offices must comply with mandatory temperature checks, use of face masks and social distancing.

▶Question: Do you have any upcoming election(s), plan of actions or changes to future election management you wish to share with A-WEB Member EMBs?

▶Answer: The next elections in Mexico will be held in June 2022. In the 2022 elections, 6 states will elect state and local authorities. INE has already set its plan to properly manage them.

Additionally, political parties’ representatives and a few federal legislators are preparing a request for the public consultation on revoking the presidential mandate. If the Supreme Court approves it, INE will also prepare for the referendum which could be held in March 2022.

The A-WEB Secretariat appreciates the National Electoral Institute of Mexico for sharing their special measures they adopted to manage elections under the pandemic conditions. The Secretariat will continue to conduct these interviews so that A-WEB members may share their hands-on experience they have gone through to conduct elections in challenging circumstances.