Charting the Course for Electoral Law Reforms: Emphasizing the Importance of Meaningful Conversations

The deputies opted to stop the approval of the opinion of the reforms to the electoral law and will study the proposal again. But citizens who formed part of the Commission for Electoral Update and Modernization (CAME) are asking for an in-depth study because they notice regressive articles regarding participation and democracy.

The Electoral Affairs Commission of Congress met yesterday and the deputies decided to discuss each article again. This was after the draft proposal, which was waiting to receive signatures, was made public.

The text details how the deputies sought to increase the campaign ceiling, change the election dates, eliminate the prohibition against defection and give the deputies control over the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and its authorities.

But the draft opinion on the Electoral and Political Parties Law (Lepp) was amended. The majority of the deputies ruled out increasing public funding, as the draft stated.

“The draft was issued by the same commission and its advisors as a proposal that was going to be presented in the coming days. But as members of the commission we had established that the draft could not be signed if the articles were not approved by majority,” said deputy Byron Rodríguez, acting president of the legislative board.

The next meeting of the Electoral Affairs Commission is scheduled for Thursday, September 26. A specific date for the approval and presentation of the opinion has not been set.

“Each article has different interests of the legislative blocs and their members,” argued the deputy, assuring that the analysis continues.

They don’t share it

Some of the citizens who were part of CAME 2024 do not agree with the draft proposal, considering that there are aspects that were discussed for the development of the initiative that were discarded in the suggested opinion.

“It is a setback, especially for the TSE because it suggests direct implications for the magistrates. This will weaken the institution and we need a strong institution to really be supreme,” said Lindsey Tillit, an analyst with the women’s organization Alas de Mariposa.

There are some “errors” from the 2023 elections that are being corrected, such as the use of technology. That, according to Francisco Quezada of the National Economic Research Center (CIEN), but he emphasizes that it needs study. “If this issue goes unreviewed and several of its articles are removed, I think it could be a setback.”

For Edgar Ortiz, an analyst at the Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo, some errors in the draft opinion have been corrected. But he points out that there are issues that deserve a national discussion. “There were reasons to regulate defection (…) but removing it seems to me to be a questionable change,” the analyst concluded.

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#Reforms #electoral #law #setback #discussed #depth

Global Campus of⁣ Human Rights

Electoral Reform: ⁤A Critical Aspect of Democratic Development

Electoral reform is an integral⁢ part of democratic development, and it has been a topic of discussion globally [[2]]. ⁣In the United⁢ States, for instance, electoral reform​ refers to efforts to change‌ American​ elections ⁤and the electoral system used in ‍the country ⁤ [[3]]. Recently,‍ a⁣ proposal to reform the electoral ⁤law has been met ⁢with resistance from citizens⁢ who were part​ of the Commission for Electoral Update ⁢and Modernization (CAME).

The Proposal and Its Controversies

The⁣ proposal, which was made ⁣public, details several changes to the​ electoral law,​ including⁤ increasing the⁣ campaign ceiling, changing election dates, eliminating the ⁢prohibition against defection, and giving deputies control over the Supreme ⁤Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and its authorities. However, citizens who were‌ part​ of CAME have expressed ‍concerns over certain aspects⁤ of the ⁤proposal, which​ they believe are regressive in ‍terms of participation and democracy.

Concerns over the Proposal

One of the ⁣main concerns is the impact of ⁣the proposal on the TSE, which could be weakened by the changes. According ⁢to Lindsey Tillit, an analyst with the women’s organization⁣ Alas de Mariposa, “it⁣ is ‍a setback, especially ​for the TSE because it⁢ suggests direct implications for the⁤ magistrates. This​ will weaken the institution and‌ we need a strong institution to really ‍be supreme.” Others have‌ pointed out that the proposal does not‍ address certain issues, such as ⁢the use of technology, which was a ‍problem in the‍ 2023 elections.

The Need for In-Depth Study and National Discussion

Citizens who were part of CAME are calling for an in-depth study of the proposal to ensure that it does not⁣ undermine democracy ‌and participation. Edgar Ortiz, an analyst at the Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo, ⁤believes that there are issues that deserve a national discussion, including the ‌regulation of defection. Francisco ​Quezada of the National Economic Research Center (CIEN) also notes that the proposal needs to be studied carefully to avoid setbacks.

The Way Forward

The Electoral Affairs Commission has decided to discuss each ​article of the proposal again, and a meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, September⁣ 26. It is hoped⁣ that ​the commission will ‌take into⁢ account ⁢the concerns of citizens and ‍ensure that the⁤ proposal is thoroughly ⁣studied before it is approved.

Conclusion

Electoral reform ⁢is essential for the ​development of democracy, ⁣and ⁣it is ​crucial that any ​proposals for ⁤reform are thoroughly studied and debated. The concerns over the recent proposal‍ in [country name] ⁣highlight the need ⁣for in-depth analysis and national ​discussion to ensure that the ‍electoral law serves the interests of ‌citizens and⁢ promotes democracy.

References:

[1]

[2]

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ElectoralreformintheUnited_States”>[3]

Electoral reform examples

Electoral Reform: A Global Priority with Controversial Proposals

Electoral reform is a pressing issue globally, with many countries seeking to improve their electoral systems to ensure free, fair, and democratic elections. In a recent survey of 24 countries, Pew Research found that reforming how elections and the electoral system work is a key priority for many nations [1[1].

In the United States, the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 aims to improve the electoral process by clarifying the role of Congress in presidential elections and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power [2[2]. Similarly, the Electoral Count Reform Act is part of an omnibus appropriations bill enacted by Congress at the end of 2022, aiming to improve the electoral process and presidential transition [3[3].

However, not all electoral reform proposals are welcomed by citizens and experts. In a recent development, the Electoral Affairs Commission of Congress in a certain country has proposed reforms to the electoral law, including increasing the campaign ceiling, changing election dates, eliminating the prohibition against defection, and giving deputies control over the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and its authorities.

These proposals have been met with criticism from citizens who were part of the Commission for Electoral Update and Modernization (CAME), who argue that the reforms are regressive and undermine democracy. The draft opinion on the Electoral and Political Parties Law (Lepp) has also been amended to rule out increasing public funding, sparking concerns about the independence of the electoral authorities.

Experts have also expressed concerns about the implications of the proposed reforms on the TSE and the democratic process as a whole. For instance, Lindsey Tillit, an analyst with the women’s organization Alas de Mariposa, argues that the proposed reforms would weaken the TSE and undermine its independence. Similarly, Francisco Quezada of the National Economic Research Center (CIEN) points out that the reforms need further study to avoid setbacks, while Edgar Ortiz of the Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo argues that the removal of the prohibition against defection is a questionable change that deserves national discussion.

The Electoral Affairs Commission has decided to study each article of the draft proposal again, with the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 26. The approval and presentation of the opinion have not been set, and it remains to be seen whether the proposed reforms will be approved in their current form or amended to address the concerns of citizens and experts.

electoral reform is a critical issue that requires careful consideration and consultation with stakeholders. While the proposals may have been well-intentioned, they have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the democratic process. It is essential to ensure that any reforms prioritize the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections.

References:

[1] Pew Research. (2024, March 13). Electoral reform and direct democracy. Retrieved from

[2] Congress.gov. (2021-2022). S.4573 – Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022. Retrieved from

[3] National Conference of State Legislatures. (2024, August 1). Enactments Relating to the Electoral Count Reform Act. Retrieved from

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