Mexico’s first-ever judicial elections, held on June 1, 2025, have drawn significant scrutiny from international media and observers, raising questions about the legitimacy and effectiveness of the process.
Prominent outlets such as CNN, El País, and Al Jazeera have highlighted widespread concerns over the elections, which were part of a sweeping constitutional reform aimed at democratizing the judiciary. Critics argue that the process was rushed, poorly understood by the public, and vulnerable to political influence.
One of the most vocal critiques came from the Organization of American States (OAS), whose Electoral Observation Mission issued a 34-page report warning that the model used in Mexico should not be replicated elsewhere. The OAS cited extremely low voter turnout—just 13% of eligible voters—and a high percentage of null or unmarked ballots as signs of a flawed process. The mission also noted that many voters lacked basic information about the thousands of candidates on the ballot, contributing to confusion and disengagement.
International media echoed these concerns. El País described the turnout as “well below expectations,” while Al Jazeera emphasized the logistical complexity of the election, which involved over 7,000 candidates for more than 2,600 judicial positions. Reports also pointed to the use of unofficial “cheat sheets” distributed by political groups, raising alarms about the politicization of the judiciary.
Despite these criticisms, Mexican officials, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, defended the elections as a step toward transparency and accountability. However, the international response suggests that the experiment has sparked more questions than confidence.
As Mexico embarks on this unprecedented judicial overhaul, the world is watching closely, wondering whether this bold move will strengthen democracy or compromise judicial independence.
Source: OEM
