**Senate Approves Reform Allowing Taddei to Appoint INE Positions Without Full Counselor Approval**
On October 10, 2024, the Senate of the Republic approved a reform to the General Law of Electoral Institutions and Procedures (LEGIPE), granting Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, the president of the National Electoral Institute (INE) since April 2023, new powers that her predecessors did not have. As the first female president of this autonomous constitutional body, she now holds the authority to make key appointments within the INE, except for the Executive Secretary, without the required approval from eight out of the eleven counselors.
The reform was passed with 81 votes in favor from parties including Morena, the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), and the Labor Party (PT), while 40 votes against were cast by the National Action Party (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), and Citizen Movement (MC). Before this reform, Taddei Zavala struggled to secure the necessary backing for her nominations, resulting in many provisional appointments in first-level positions.
Senator Manlio Fabio Beltrones Rivera raised concerns about this shift during the debate, fearing that it weakened the collegiate nature of the INE and its autonomy. However, his recommendations were dismissed by the ruling coalition. Electoral Counselor Carla Astrid Humphrey Jordan echoed these concerns, stating that the reform ended the collegial aspect of decisions within the INE’s General Council.
Currently, LEGIPE requires that eight counselor votes approve appointments to the roles of Technical Unit Heads and Executive Directors. The recent reform, however, allows Taddei Zavala to make these decisions unilaterally. This significant change also restructured the General Executive Board to include a new Legal Affairs Directorate, enhancing its authority in setting administrative procedures.
**Who is Guadalupe Taddei Zavala?**
Guadalupe Taddei Zavala previously led the Sonoran Institute for Transparency and the Sonoran State Electoral Institute. Her extensive family ties include connections to several public officials across various government sectors, showcasing her embedded role in Mexican public service.
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**Additional Context: Concerns Over Centralized Power in Electoral Reforms**
The reform approved by the Senate granting sweeping powers to the INE president has sparked widespread debate about the independence and neutrality of the electoral body. Analysts point out that concentrating appointment powers could lead to favoritism or pressure from political groups, potentially influencing election outcomes.
Critics argue that the reform lacks the checks and balances necessary for equitable governance. With the change, one individual wielding significant influence over key appointments may undermine the collective decision-making process, crucial for maintaining an unbiased electoral mechanism.
The political interaction with Taddei Zavala’s reform reflects broader debates globally about the role of electoral bodies in democracies — balancing effective leadership with the need for shared governance to ensure fair electoral processes. Observers urge continuation of dialogue and eventual legislative adjustments to preserve the integrity and trust in electoral institutions.