IECM warns about electoral reform: "A very complex election is looming for 2027."

The president of the Mexico City Electoral Institute (IECM) , Patricia Avendaño Durán , raised the alarm about a possible electoral reform that could eliminate the Local Public Electoral Bodies (OPLES) . In her appearance before the Political-Electoral Reform Commission, the advisor pointed out that centralizing the processes in the National Electoral Institute (INE) could have negative consequences for the functioning of Mexican democracy.

Avendaño Durán stated that, if the reform is implemented, the 2027 election could become one of the most complex in the country's recent history , due to the operational overload the INE would face. While acknowledging the national institute's experience, he warned that its capacity could be overwhelmed by concentrating all local and federal processes.

One of the main arguments of those promoting the reform is the potential budget savings by eliminating OPLES. However, the IECM's president denied this idea , asserting that costs will not be reduced if the same levels of security, training, and logistics are maintained for each election.

"That won't necessarily translate into lower election costs either, because the procedures must continue to be carried out with the same security measures," Avendaño explained.

From their perspective, the elimination of these bodies does not represent an efficient solution , but rather a risk to the fluidity and effectiveness of the Mexican electoral system.

Avendaño Durán was emphatic in defending the federal structure of electoral organization in Mexico. She argued that the division of powers between local and national bodies is key to ensuring elections that respond to regional specificities .

"We are a federal state, and the essence of federalism is the division of powers to better meet the needs of each state, each municipality, each local government, and also the federal government," he stated.

For the head of the IECM, OPLES allow electoral processes to be adapted to local contexts , facilitating a more timely response to specific challenges , something that a centralized structure could hardly guarantee.

One of the greatest fears expressed by Avendaño is that the concentration of functions in a single institution will lead to "process atrophy" and a significant delay in the delivery of results . This, he said, would be detrimental to public confidence and the smooth conduct of the elections.

He also warned that an overburdened institution could reduce its ability to respond to conflicts or irregularities , especially in a polarized political context like the current one.

Amid these warnings, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken the first step by appointing the seven members of the Commission that will draft the electoral reform . Among the stated objectives are:

• The elimination of plurinominal deputies and senators
• An internal reorganization of the INE
• The possible merger or disappearance of the OPLES

This agenda has rekindled the debate between those seeking administrative efficiency and budgetary control , and those who fear a reduction in political pluralism and local autonomy .

The IECM's position represents a crucial wake-up call at a time of institutional transformation . While the goal of making the electoral system more efficient is legitimate, centralizing all functions in the INE could cause more problems than solutions , both in operational and democratic terms.

The 2027 election is shaping up to be a key moment to test the strength of Mexico's electoral model , and hasty decisions could compromise the organization of the elections and public confidence. In this context, the discussion on electoral reform must take a long-term view and respect federal balance .