No electoral institution explains itself, and no election makes sense without people who inform themselves, participate, organize, observe, question, receive the vote, and go out to vote. That is why, heading towards 2027, it is worth looking at more than just political competition. And yes, all of that is important, but I believe there is something we sometimes leave in the background that supports the electoral process: institutions. And this is no minor matter, because as we head towards 2027 and things start to settle in politics, institutions are also moving. It is three decades of accumulated experience in local electoral functions. We often talk a lot about who wants to get there, but less about who makes the path possible. Because heading towards 2027, it is not just the names that will be moving. At the national level, the procedure to elect three people to serve as counselors on the General Council of the INE is already underway. And here it is worth saying something clearly: it is not an open door nor a process without rules. Of course, there will be parties, candidacies, and campaigns, but there will also be complete institutions, professional staff, and involved citizens. The IEEQ will arrive with the full integration of the General Council's counselors into the 2026-2027 electoral process; there is no renewal at this time. This provides conditions for continuity at a time when not only candidacies and parties matter, but also that the electoral authority has a solid foundation to organize what comes next. Now, the topic does not end there, because an election is not supported only by a General Council. The institutions, the staff, and the citizens who sustain the election will also be moving. That is 'The Black Box.' When you understand the system, you stop being a hostage to it. It is also supported by the people who every day make agreements, review files, train, organize, project, and make everything work when the time comes. When we start talking about an election, we immediately turn to look at the parties, at the names that are being talked about, at who wants to compete, who wants to be re-elected, and who is already starting to position themselves. An important part of the process is also defined there. And if you want to see it with perspective, there is another very good piece of data. This happens both in the case of the INE's General Council counselors and in local public bodies, like the IEEQ. And speaking of Querétaro, there is a fact that is very worth putting on the table. In 2026, the IEEQ will complete 30 years of institutional life in Querétaro. In the IEEQ, there is also staff from the Professional Electoral Service, which speaks of specialized work, evaluation, and continuity. Additionally, another great element is missing, perhaps the most valuable of all: citizenship. It is no small thing. There are filters, exams, interviews, and profile reviews.
