Mexican electoral integrity and organized crime risks

Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE) has addressed the legal responsibilities of political parties regarding candidates with alleged ties to organized crime. Initially, the INE’s legal department clarified that parties have no legal obligation to screen candidates for such links, noting that imposing such requirements would conflict with existing legislation. While parties may voluntarily adopt internal controls, they are not mandated to assess a candidate’s integrity regarding criminal connections.

Following this, the INE issued warnings to political parties about the risks of organized crime infiltrating the 2027 electoral process. Counselor Frida Denisse Gómez Puga emphasized that parties bear the primary responsibility for vetting candidates to protect governance and public trust.

To support this effort, the INE established an Integrity Verification Commission in July. This mechanism allows parties to use a confidential link with federal security and justice agencies, such as the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), to request background information on aspirants. The INE maintains its role as a facilitator rather than an independent validator, leaving the final decision to nominate or reject candidates to the political parties themselves.