Mexican voters went to the polls Sunday to elect what is likely to be their first female president, along with over 20,000 government officials, in the largest election in the country’s history.
Mexico City: Voters in Mexico are currently participating in the nation’s largest election to date, casting their ballots Sunday to fill over 20,000 local, state, and federal positions, likely including the election of their first female president.
Isis Duarte, a senior law student, arrived at a polling site in Mexico City early, about two hours before it opened at 8 a.m. “Today is an important election,” Duarte stated, expressing her excitement to participate in electing a female president, which she sees as a significant milestone for the country.
However, the lead-up to this consequential election has been marked by widespread violence. Criminal groups have seized control of significant parts of Mexico, engaging in territorial battles for drug trafficking routes to the U.S. and exploiting residents through extortion and migrant smuggling.
As of noon local time, nearly 88% of voting booths had been successfully installed, according to Mexico’s National Electoral Institute. However, voting could not take place in person at 170 polling places, mainly in Chiapas and Michoacan, due to security concerns.
Tragically, a local office candidate in Michoacan, Israel Delgado Vega, was fatally shot on Saturday night, just hours before Election Day, highlighting the ongoing violence against political figures. So far, at least 34 political candidates have been killed in this election cycle, reflecting a 150% increase in political violence victims since 2021.
The prevalence of violence has deeply troubled Mexican voters, with security emerging as a top concern for many. A survey conducted by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography in April revealed that approximately 6 in 10 Mexican adults feel unsafe in their cities due to robberies or armed violence.
“Violence is present in everyday life, everywhere,” Duarte remarked, echoing the widespread sentiment among Mexican citizens.