The Superior Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation (TEPJF) has denied Supreme Court Minister Lenia Batres the use of the nickname "minister of the people" on the ballot for the judicial election. By unanimous vote and at the proposal of the presiding magistrate of the TEPJF, the Superior Chamber ruled that this denial does not violate any norm, procedure, or rights of the minister.
In an extraordinary session held last night, the ministers considered that the National Electoral Institute (INE) has legal authority to decide on the inclusion of additional elements on electoral ballots. They argued that the use of nicknames could influence the contest, create confusion among voters, and provide an unfair advantage over other candidacies. Therefore, they supported the INE's decision not to allow nicknames on ballots for candidacies for positions in the Judicial Power of the Federation.
The case was resolved in less than 12 hours after the minister challenged the INE's agreement, claiming that her intention to appear on the ballot as "minister of the people" does not have electoral propaganda purposes or seek undue recognition. Lenia Batres stated that the nickname arises from the community and is not a way to stand out over the other candidacies.
In this sense, the minister expressed: "This is not a phrase with which I intend to be recognized or seek to position myself improperly in relation to the other candidacies. My intention is to represent the citizen voices that have given me that nickname."
