Over 18,000 individuals in Mexico have submitted their applications online to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships as part of the country's new selection process. However, the final selection of candidates will be determined through a random drawing, officials announced on Monday.
In September, the ruling party successfully pushed through a constitutional reform that requires all federal judges to participate in elections, replacing the previous system where court employees and lawyers typically advanced through the ranks. This move has sparked opposition from current court employees and their supporters, who view the reforms as an attempt by the ruling party to undermine checks and balances and dismantle independent regulatory bodies.
To qualify as a candidate for a Supreme Court seat or federal judgeship, individuals now need a law degree, a minimum grade point average of 3.2, at least five years of professional experience, and five letters of recommendation from acquaintances. Following the initial screening process, a random drawing will determine the final list of candidates.
Despite criticism that the selection process is rushed and lacks professionalism for such technical positions that handle cases ranging from intellectual property to organized crime and Constitutional law, government officials have defended the process, with one advisor describing the results as 'spectacular.'
Under the current plan, evaluation committees have just over a month to review thousands of applications and shortlist around 10 candidates for each of the 881 judgeships and nine Supreme Court seats. Subsequently, 1,793 names randomly selected from the shortlisted candidates will appear on the ballot on June 1.
Critics have raised concerns that many candidates on the ballot may lack the necessary expertise, having never argued cases in the courts they aspire to serve. There are also fears that election campaigns could be financed by drug cartels or political parties to influence the selection of judges.
Furthermore, doubts have been raised about the impartiality of the evaluation committees responsible for selecting candidates for the ballot, as most committee members were appointed by branches of government controlled by the ruling party.
Advocates for judicial reform argue that Mexico's current justice system is plagued by nepotism, corruption, and a lack of accountability, emphasizing the need for change to ensure a more effective and transparent legal system.
Trials in Mexico often endure for extended periods, and recent legislative changes have expanded the list of crimes for which bail is not permitted, resulting in a significant portion of the prison population being individuals awaiting trial.
