Mexico´s major Electoral Reform package levels the playing field

I might have thought that the elections a month ago were the talk of the town, but news of this overhaul of Mexico´s electoral procedures has been the constant chatter of the nation for a couple weeks now. After being approved last week, with 111 voting in favor and only 11 against, in the national Congress, it is now being sent to the 31 local state congresses, 16 of which have to similarly approve the bill before it can be made law.

The most radical and controversial change called for by the Electoral Reform bill is to prohibit candidates from buying air time on the radio and TV to play campaign ads. As would be expected, the main, but really the only opponent to this measure are the radio and TV companies themselves. In contrast, members from all five major national parties (Right of center PRI and PAN and left PRD, PT and Convergencia) have, in a rare display of bi (or quinti) partisanship have joined forces in supporting the bill.

In addition, the reform places limits on the amount of time and money candidates can spend campaigning and generally encourages the participation of lesser known, independent candidates.

Of course, as the bill is requiring the amendement of seven articles of the Union´s Consitution and is even proposing adding one (and a paragraph) the states are taking their time in making their decisions. However, with this year´s state congressional session coming to a close as the newly elected Congress is to be sworn in January 2, they don´t have much time. So far, only four states have votes on the bill. All four voted in favor.

Considering the country´s general unanimimous support of this measure it would be nice to see the states get their acts together and give the people what they want, preferibly sooner than later.