Mexico's INE President Asks Audit Office to Review Contracts Amid Irregularity Claims

President Claudia Sheinbaum asked the National Electoral Institute on October 20 to clarify allegations of irregularities in multimillion-dollar contracts with several companies. The institute is led by council president Guadalupe Taddei.

Taddei then asked the Superior Audit Office of the Federation to review tenders linked to companies connected to Jonathan Navarrete Torres and Jesus Octavio Garcia, both former institute employees.

The allegations were published by Reforma and focus on two former collaborators. Navarrete is described as a former institute driver and Garcia as another former employee.

Taddei denied the existence of favored companies during a press conference on Tuesday, October 21. She defended the legality of acquisitions carried out during her administration.

She also said the former employees named in the investigations declared in their asset statements that they had no participation in companies or partnerships. Taddei presented those documents without naming the former employees.

The council president noted that the flagged companies worked with the institute well before her term, starting in 2019. She asked that acts prior to her administration not be attributed to her.

Morena congressional coordinator Ricardo Monreal said his party will not protect anyone who committed irregularities at the institute. He called for the facts to be clarified without endangering the INE's legitimacy.

Monreal stated that the internal control body, the ASF, or even the Financial Intelligence Unit should handle the matter. He said accounts linked to INE businessmen suppliers have reportedly been blocked.

The ASF said in a Friday statement that it already has elements and indications related to irregularities in various contracts, possible conflicts of interest, collusion, and resource triangulation. The review also covers local electoral public bodies, public servants, and suppliers.