The Senate postponed for Wednesday the discussion and vote on the electoral reform promoted by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his party, Morena, which raises points such as reducing the structure of the National Electoral Institute (INE) and shortening the duration of electoral processes.
Ricardo Monreal, leader of the Morena senators, said at a press conference that the postponement is due to the deadlines that the regulation requires after commissions approve opinions.
“Today will be the first reading in plenary so that tomorrow the second reading and discussion and vote can take place,” he said.
#EnVivo From the Senate of the Republic, I speak with the media that cover the news source. https://t.co/axwhaveqs7
— Ricardo Monreal A. (@RicardoMonrealA) December 13, 2022
Until this December 12 at night, the reform was expected to be voted on this Tuesday.
Monreal also told reporters that he himself has reservations about the presidential proposal. He considered that there are points that may be contrary to the Constitution of the country or harmful.
Read more | ‘Unconstitutional, legislative tranza and blow to democracy’: reactions of opposition to the electoral reform,
Some of them, he said, are the confirmation of a new electoral system and the disappearance of much of the Professional Electoral Service.
#LoÚltimo | @RicardoMonrealA, leader of Morena in the Senate, says that the minutes of the #ReformaRlectoral will be voted on in plenary until tomorrow. He says he still doesn’t know how he will vote.
📹 Video: @mau_torres. pic.twitter.com/0aS67iVIKc
— Political Animal (@Pajaropolitico) December 13, 2022
The senator, who has distanced himself from President Lopez Obrador, said he still doesn’t know if he will vote for or against. Questioned about this, he replied: “I am on the side of the Constitution, I am on the side of the law.”
Monreal said there is still time to “cleanse” the reform of what he classifies as “blocks of unconstitutionality.”
President López Obrador and Morena legislators — for the most part — support the proposal on the grounds that it would save resources and make electoral processes more efficient.
On the contrary, opposition parties, counselors and former counselors of the INE and academics warn that the operational capacity of the institute and the organization of the elections itself would be affected.
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