A WEB

In response to an invitation from the National Electoral Institute (INE) of Mexico, A-WEB deployed an independent Election Observation Mission to observe the country’s first-ever Judicial Elections, held on June 1, 2025.

This mission aligns with A-WEB’s commitment to:

• Supporting democratic consolidation through improvements in electoral systems;
• Providing member Election Management Bodies (EMBs) with actionable, experience-based recommendations to enhance electoral practices;
• Facilitating data collection for comparative research on election management systems and reforms.

Mission Overview

• Observation Dates: May 28 (Wed) – June 3 (Tue), 2025
• Election Day: June 1 (Sun), 2025
• Areas Covered: Mexico City and surrounding regions
• Mission Composition:  4 Delegates from member organizations and the Secretariat, who took the role of general coordinator for the mission

Preparatory Activities

In advance of the official observation period, the A-WEB Secretariat conducted logistical and operational preparations to ensure the smooth deployment of the mission. These included:

• Securing accommodations and transportation arrangements for all delegates
• Mapping polling station locations and finalizing observer deployment routes
• Coordinating access and schedules with electoral institutions, including site visits and working sessions with the INE, the Electoral Institute of Mexico City (IECM), and other relevant bodies
• Finalizing the observer toolkit and materials in consultation with experts
• Organizing contextual and institutional briefings to support informed observation

Briefings & Stakeholder Engagement (May 29–31)

Internal Briefing Session (May 29): Observers received a comprehensive briefing on the mission’s objectives, methodology, security protocols, and fieldwork strategy. Prof. Karolina M. Gilas (UNAM) delivered an in-depth lecture on the political and institutional context of the 2025 judicial elections.

Working Meeting with IECM (May 29): The delegation participated in a dedicated session with the Electoral Institute of Mexico City (IECM), which provided detailed explanations of the local electoral framework, logistical preparations, voter education initiatives, and coordination efforts between city and federal electoral authorities.

Other Information Sessions: Observers also held consultations with the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) and attended the INE-hosted international forum (May 30–31), which included exchanges with experts and delegations from around the world.

Election Day Observation – June 1

On election day, observers were deployed across various polling stations in Mexico City and its outskirts. From 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., teams assessed:

Timely and proper setup of polling stations prior to opening

Ÿ   Presence, preparedness, and conduct of electoral staff throughout the day

Ÿ   Availability, security, and proper handling of sensitive election materials

Ÿ   Accessibility of polling stations and layout compliance to ensure vote secrecy

Ÿ   Average time taken for voters to cast their ballots and overall voter flow

Ÿ   Procedures followed in cases of station relocation, delays, or technical issues

Ÿ   Closing procedures, including the sealing and classification of ballot papers

Ÿ   Delivery of electoral materials to district-level offices for the official tabulation process

Tally Observation and Reporting

On June 2, observers visited district-level election offices to monitor the vote counting and results transmission process. The team observed:

Ÿ   Procedures for receiving and securing electoral materials from polling stations

Ÿ   Handling of discrepancies or disputes, and the procedures for resolving them

Ÿ   Transparency and accuracy of the tabulation process

Ÿ   Timeliness and efficiency of data entry and result transmission

Ÿ   Conduct and professionalism of electoral staff

A debriefing session was held on the evening of election day (June 1), during which participants shared their assessments based on field checklists. Preliminary findings and recommendations were consolidated into a draft mission report, which was submitted to INE for review. Observers also completed a post-mission survey and received participation certificates.

Looking Ahead

Through this mission, A-WEB reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the democratic foundations of its member states by delivering practical insights, promoting experience sharing, and supporting electoral reforms. The 2025 Judicial Elections in Mexico provided a unique context for studying election management in a judicial selection process, contributing valuable data for future comparative research.