The Guadalajara Reporter

Election echoes a brutal past

Mexico held elections in 15 states Sunday, and the results did not cheer a large portion of the Mexican electorate.  One might think this wouldn’t matter. That’s because 60 percent of Mexican voters abstained. But the results will matter both sooner or later.  And the reasons are of pressing importance. 

Consider the fact that “authorities” began burning ballots just hours after the first count.  Many miraculous things often occur in Mexican elections.  But just how will Mexico’s election overseers count ashes?  

As some people were nonetheless checking the news this week to see how the recount for who really won the governorship of Baja California was going to be conducted, an image-damaging headline appeared.  “Mexico, Argentina: The most corrupt in Latin America.”  This was the result of a survey conducted by the Transparency International organization.  Mexican friends were not surprised by this headline.  Yet they tend to flinch when they see it highlighted in the international media.  Many instinctively feel they should defend their homeland, no matter what.

The UK Economist headline read:  “Something for everyone – except voters.”  The Economist noted that while “Leaders of all main political parties appear to have something to celebrate ... voters had little to cheer about.  The outcome ... shows the fragmentation, ideological vacuum and venality of local politics.”

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