The newly independent Federal Electoral Institute, (Instituto Federal de Electoral, IFE) which oversees elections throughout the Republic is gearing up for congressional and gubernatorial elections scheduled for July 6. It will be the first election in which the IFE is independently managed, instead of headed by a government official. Until recently the Institute was presided over by the minister of the interior, a member of the PRI, which has been in power for over 50 years. After changes to the Republic's electoral laws, the agency is now independent and funded by the Congress. The IFE's eight member election council, who are mostly academics, are appointed by Congress to seven year terms. Those changes, and the Institute's work since then, are seen as the country's best hope for a transition to clean elections and full democracy.
As campaigns get underway, the IFE has recently replaced about 33 percent of their work force and all local institute officers will be overseen by newly appointed regional councils elected by a consensus of all political parties. Reforms to campaign financing have been instituted despite criticisms that Congress approved a much higher ceiling on campaign spending in order to benefit the wealthier ruling PRI party. The PRI holds the majority of seats in Mexico's Congress. The PRI is slated to receive $8 million more pesos from the IFE than any other political party for the upcoming election. The PRI will receive $56.9 million pesos, the PAN will receive $41.2 million pesos, the PRD will get $34.3 million, PT will get $14.5, the PVEM - $14.2, PC- $6.4, PDM - $3.2 and the PPS - $3.2.
Sources: El Norte, Miami Herald on-line