Versión Español
EspañolSome parties with candidates in Mexico’s 2018 presidential election want objective, international oversight of the electoral process, and have turned to the Organization of American States in hopes of getting it.
President of Mexico’s National Action Party (PAN) Ricardo Anaya and leader of the Social Democratic Party met this Sunday with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro to request that the organization observe the 2018 presidential election.
Anaya expressed concern over “undemocratic practices” that were observed in the recent gubernatorial elections in the state of Coahuila — during which officials questioned the legitimacy of the incumbent Institutional Revolutionary Party’s win — and claimed something similar could take place nationwide come 2018.
The multiple serious irregularities that allegedly occurred during the electoral process in Coahuila also contributed to PAN’s decision to request OAS oversight. A space for dialogue was reportedly agreed upon in order to inform the organization about how the situation could be dealt with.
National leadership for the Social Democrats asked Almagro to issue a statement about violence in Mexico — another driving factor in its decision to request international oversight. The party reportedly feels that the country’s violence could threaten voters’ constitutional rights.
El día de hoy fuimos recibidos por el Secretario General de la OEA, @Almagro_OEA2015; abordamos temas de #AsambleaOEA y DDHH. pic.twitter.com/oAqgWBE5sQ
— Alejandra Barrales (@Ale_BarralesM) June 18, 2017
Tweet: Today we hosted OAS Seceretary General Almagro, we addressed issues on the OAS assembly and Human Rights.
Like PAN, the Social Democrats also asked the organization to observe the next presidential elections in order to “prevent a state election that manipulates the popular will, as happened in the State of Mexico.”
The party has had doubts about the three-point advantage PRI candidate Alfredo del Mazo holds over Delfina Gomez, of the leftist party Morena.
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In order to prevent electoral manipulation, the party asked the OAS “to set up observer missions throughout the electoral process, and not just on election day, so as to avoid practices that condition voting.”
Source: El Universal
