Mexico's INE assures election readiness despite 836 staff departures

Mexico's National Electoral Institute (INE) asserts that its technical, professional, and operational capacity remains secure for organizing the 2026-2027 Federal Electoral Process. This assurance comes despite the departure of 836 workers from its central offices during 2026, a figure reported by EL UNIVERSAL based on transparency requests.

In an official statement, the INE clarified that the concluded contracts were exclusively with temporary workers hired on a fee or project basis. The institute emphasized that these departures do not equate to the elimination of structural positions that could jeopardize its operations. "The conclusion of temporary and project-based contracts is part of institutional operations and responds to different stages of the electoral cycle," the INE explained.

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The conclusion of temporary and project-based contracts is part of institutional operations and responds to different stages of the electoral cycle. During periods of high activity, the INE incorporates personnel for specific projects; once concluded, the associated contracts also come to an end.

The institute further detailed that during periods of high activity, it incorporates personnel for specific projects, and these contracts conclude once the projects are finished. The INE also noted that between 2022 and 2025, there were 11,671 personnel changes in its central offices, with significant variations concentrated in areas like the Executive Directorate of the Federal Register of Voters and the Technical Unit of Informatics Services, which experience increased workloads during electoral processes.

Guadalupe Taddei, head of the INE, also addressed concerns about the institute's credibility, which some officials attribute to the perceived closeness of its counselors to the ruling party. Despite these staff changes, the INE maintains that its core functions are covered and preparations for the upcoming elections are proceeding on schedule. The institute stressed that its capacity is measured by its fulfillment of constitutional responsibilities, not solely by the termination of temporary contracts.

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The substantive functions of the Institute remain covered and the preparatory activities of the 2026-2027 Federal Electoral Process are advancing according to the planned calendar. The INE's capacity is not measured by the termination of temporary contracts, but by the fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities.