Electoral security incident in Chiapas
A group of hooded individuals stole 131,580 electoral ballots destined for the elections of the Judicial Branch of the Federation in Chiapas. The event occurred in municipalities in the Altos, Norte and Costa regions of the state, directly affecting 16 of the 2,915 polling stations scheduled for this Sunday. The National Electoral Institute (INE) confirmed the theft and initiated legal action before the Public Ministry.
Details of the theft
The Local Executive Board reported on Friday the disappearance of electoral packages in three key districts:
- District 04 (Pichucalco): 65,244 tickets for Copainalá, in sections 317-329.
- District 05 (San Cristóbal de las Casas): 10,746 ballots for section 2094.
- District 07 (Tonalá): 55,590 ballots for Jiquipilas, in sections 644-660.
INE officials carried out an exhaustive verification to identify the pages of the stolen ballots. “We are corroborating the information to give it accurately,” said a spokeswoman, who later specified the total figure.
Immediate consequences
The INE announced that 15 boxes will not be able to be installed due to lack of documentation: 9 in Copainalá and 6 in Jiquipilas. In San Cristóbal, alternatives are evaluated to guarantee the process. Each subdelegational body will present complaints to the Prosecutor’s Office Specialized in Electoral Crimes (Fisel), providing evidence collected.
In a statement, the INE condemned the incident: “These acts restrict the freedom of voting in Chiapas.” On the other hand, communities like San Antonio del Monte confirmed that their electoral package is intact and urged citizen participation.
Institutional stance
The Presidential Counselor Guadalupe Taddei explained that 25 electoral packages were stolen and that the corresponding complaint has already been filed. During the inauguration of the Macro Press Room, Taddei emphasized the importance of safeguarding democratic processes.
Impact and contingency measures
This incident highlights vulnerabilities in electoral logistics, especially in areas with a history of conflict. The INE activated replacement protocols, although it recognized operational limitations. Analysts point out that the theft could affect the perception of transparency in judicial elections.
Beyond legal actions, the agency works in coordination with local authorities to minimize disruptions. “Every vote counts,” Taddei recalled, highlighting the need to safeguard the remaining materials.
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