**Sheinbaum Implements Constitutional Supremacy Reform Amid Controversy Over “Phantom Vote”**
On the night of October 31, 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the president, officially published a decree in the national official gazette, introducing significant changes to the Constitution. The modifications to Article 107, and the addition of a fifth paragraph to Article 105, dubbed “constitutional supremacy,” are designed to prevent any constitutional reforms from being challenged through the courts. This law is set to take effect on November 1st.
Controversy has surrounded the legislative process, particularly concerning the involvement of federal deputy and general secretary of the Autonomous Confederation of Workers and Employees of Mexico (CATEM), Pedro Haces Barba. Though he was reportedly absent from the session where the reform was passed, his vote appeared on the official record of the Chamber of Deputies. Haces Barba challenged the opposition party, PAN, to prove he was in New York during the final match of the World Series at Yankee Stadium instead of attending the legislative session.
Haces Barba dismissed the accusation, claiming he was occupied with other commitments related to his role as a labor leader. “Yesterday I was not present, and PAN is not my parent to keep tabs on my whereabouts. I was working,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Monreal Ávila, coordinator of the Morena parliamentary group, admitted to being unaware of Haces Barba’s whereabouts during the crucial vote. Despite sitting next to him, Monreal confirmed that he did not see him on October 30. He also joked about the ghostly presence at the session that cast votes in his absence.
In response to the situation, José Gerardo Rodolfo Fernández Noroña, president of the Senate’s Board of Directors, instructed the legal directorate to request the Supreme Court of Justice to dismiss all legal challenges against the judicial reform. This move aims to maintain the inviolability of the new constitutional change.
The ongoing situation has drawn criticism from various political factions. Rafael Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, president of the PRI, denounced the events as a legislative farce, vowing to pursue legal action to invalidate the allegedly fraudulent vote.
**Secondary Article: Growing Concerns Over Voting Integrity in Mexican Legislature**
The controversy surrounding the constitutional reform vote has highlighted broader concerns over accountability and transparency in the Mexican legislative process. Allegations of manipulated voting records or “phantom votes” have emerged, threatening to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
The political opposition is pressing for systemic changes to prevent such occurrences, demanding advanced verification methods for votes cast within the chambers. Additionally, there are calls for increased surveillance and stricter consequences for those engaged in legislative misconduct.
This incident has sparked a nationwide discussion on the legitimacy of current parliamentary procedures, emphasizing the need for reforms to safeguard the democratic process in Mexico. As political tensions rise, stakeholders from various sectors continue to scrutinize and debate the integrity of legislative operations.