**INE’s Executive Board Sets Election Budget at 13.205 Billion Pesos for Judicial Election**
**November 1, 2024**
The Executive Board of the National Electoral Institute (INE) has approved a budget of 13.205 billion pesos for the judiciary elections scheduled for the first Sunday of June 2025. These elections will involve selecting judges, magistrates, and justices for the Federal Judicial Power (PJF).
During an extraordinary session on November 1, 2024, led by Council President Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, it was decided that this budget proposal should be incorporated into the Institutional Project Portfolio (CIP) and form part of the broader preliminary INE budget for fiscal year 2025.
On October 23, 2024, with a tight vote of three to two, the Superior Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judicial Power (TEPJF) endorsed INE’s continuation of the electoral process. However, the budget’s “precautionary” approval reflects existing uncertainties due to various judicial rulings.
Significantly, the INE’s Executive Board bypassed its Temporary Budget Committee, where political parties have representation. Judicial reforms prohibit these parties from engaging in the judiciary election process.
The Executive Board has proposed that 52.7% of the 13.205 billion pesos be allocated to personnel expenses, amounting to 6.968 billion pesos. Meanwhile, 4.326 billion pesos are earmarked for general services, and 1.113 billion pesos for materials and supplies, which include ballots and electoral stationery.
INE plans to request a total of 40.476 billion pesos from Congress, which incorporates funds for its ordinary activities, a potential public consultation, and political party financing. The Temporary Budget Committee is expected to present this proposal to the General Council of INE, which will then require submission to the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) for inclusion in the national fiscal budget.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged INE to assess the cost of the PJF elections slated for June 2025, highlighting discrepancies in previously reported figures. She asserted that election funding would be drawn from the PJF’s trusts.
With ongoing legal debates and amparo proceedings challenging the organization of these elections, there remains a degree of procedural uncertainty. However, INE President Taddei Zavala confirmed that, while respecting judicial orders, the electoral process formally continues pending decisions from the TEPJF.
**Secondary Article: Updates and Perspectives on INE’s Judicial Election Budget**
As the INE prepares for the judicial elections in June 2025, questions about the process’s financial and legal aspects continue to mount. The proposed budget of 13.205 billion pesos has sparked discussion and scrutiny, particularly from President Claudia Sheinbaum. Her call for a reassessment of election costs comes amidst varying previous estimates.
Political and legal analysts express concerns over the bypassing of the Temporary Budget Committee, citing transparency and accountability in the budget allocation process as critical for maintaining public trust in electoral institutions.
Additionally, the repercussions of judicial amparos—temporary legal injunctions—pose potential hindrances. These legal actions question the INE’s authority to conduct elections independently, highlighting an ongoing tug-of-war between different branches of government over jurisdictional dominance in electoral matters.
Despite the challenges, the INE remains resolute in proceeding with the electoral preparations in accordance with constitutional mandates, emphasizing the necessity of judicial transparency and the autonomy of electoral processes.
As the story develops, it is crucial for stakeholders and citizens alike to stay informed about the financial, legal, and political intricacies underpinning these significant elections that will shape the judiciary landscape in Mexico.