Mexico's INE dismisses 836 central office workers

The National Electoral Institute (INE) in Mexico has reported the dismissal of 836 professionals from its central offices during the first months of 2026. These departures include 265 workers hired for specific projects and 566 under fee-based contracts, along with five members of the National Professional Electoral Service. The affected roles encompass technicians, analysts, advisors, and verifiers across various departments, such as Transparency, Political Parties, and Information Technology.

In response to these cuts, the INE maintains that the terminations are strictly related to the conclusion of temporary contracts tied to specific electoral cycles and do not represent the elimination of permanent structural positions. The institute asserts it retains the technical and operational capacity required to organize the 2026-2027 Federal Electoral Process. However, former electoral counselors have expressed concerns regarding the potential loss of specialized expertise and operational risks ahead of the 2027 elections.

Separately, in the State of Mexico, authorities have moved to align local election dates with national standards for the 2027 elections. Additionally, the INE has entered into a collaboration agreement with the Zacatecas Local Commission for the Search of Persons, utilizing its biometric database to assist in the identification of missing persons.