INE Declares 46 Judicial Candidates Ineligible Including 24 Circuit Magistrates; TEPJF Dismisses 50 Challenges and Rules Out Vote Recount Authority

The Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) of Mexico declared 46 judicial candidacies ineligible following the recent judicial elections due to failure to meet minimum academic requirements. Among those disqualified were 24 circuit magistrate winners who did not meet the required grade average, and one candidate currently in preventive detention for sexual abuse. The INE validated the first election of district judges and circuit magistrates but left 46 positions vacant. The Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación (TEPJF) ruled that the INE lacks authority to order a vote recount in the judicial election, citing the absence of regulations permitting such a recount at this stage. Additionally, the TEPJF dismissed 50 challenges to the election results, stating only candidates can contest outcomes. However, the INE has allowed for the possibility of vote recounts if specific requests are made and deemed necessary. The president of the Senate has been instructed to request from the INE a list of elected judges and election results. In the Veracruz state judicial election, despite efforts to consolidate power, only two pro-governor candidates won magistrate seats out of 16 contested. Claudia Sheinbaum noted that the ineligible candidates represent only 0.3% of all aspirants and suggested that the INE and TEPJF should have verified eligibility requirements prior to the election.