Guadalupe Taddei from the INE expressed that salary cuts for electoral counselors do not concern her but raised questions about the elimination of the PREP.
Guadalupe Taddei, the president counselor of the National Electoral Institute (INE) in Mexico, addressed the ongoing electoral reform initiative during a press conference. She stated that the proposed salary cuts for electoral counselors do not cause her any concern, emphasizing her personal financial situation and comparing her salary to that of the President of the Republic. Taddei mentioned that her earnings, which are approximately 120,000 pesos per month, are significantly lower than what she could earn considering additional benefits and before taxes. She seemed unfazed by the adjustments in salary that come with the reforms, declaring that she has always prioritized the institutional responsibility over personal gain.
However, Taddei raised critical concerns regarding the potential elimination of the Preliminary Electoral Results Program (PREP) and local councils. Her questioning reflects a foundational concern about the transparency and efficiency of electoral processes in Mexico. The PREP is crucial for providing timely election results, and its potential removal could significantly alter how electoral outcomes are reported and trusted by the public and political stakeholders alike. Taddei's comments suggest that while she assents to personal salary cuts, the implications these reforms could have on broader electoral integrity warrant significant scrutiny and discussion.
In light of these remarks, her responses indicate a challenging balance that electoral bodies must maintain between modernization efforts and the preservation of democratic integrity. The electoral reform initiative, which includes salary reductions and the restructuring of important processes like the PREP, could lead to a more streamlined operation of electoral institutions but also raises alarms about the cost of diminishing checks and balances that ensure electoral integrity. As Mexico approaches critical elections, how these reforms play out remains a pivotal point for public confidence and institutional accountability in the electoral process.
