On June 2, 2024, white smoke rose over Guadalajara, marking a historic moment: Verónica Delgadillo, candidate of the Civic Movement, was elected as the city's first municipal president. With more than 300,000 votes, the will of the people was clear and strong. However, despite the citizen's decision and several court ratifications, the courts have not yet made a final decision regarding the objection presented by former candidate José María. Call Martinez.
In recent weeks, we have witnessed a protracted court proceeding, which remained unfinished even after two cases. The question is inevitable: what will prevent the final result when everything seems to point to the imminent confirmation of his victory?
Ratification at the polling station and in the courts
Election day on June 2 passed without major events. Verónica Delgadillo got 308 thousand 21 votes against Martínez's 287 thousand 110. For many, this was the first and most significant ratification: the will of the people. However, Martínez challenged the results before the Electoral Court of the State of Jalisco (TEPJ), citing irregularities such as the loss of custody of the election packages and the alleged “pregnancy” of the ballot boxes.
The Jalisco Institute for Electoral and Civic Participation (IEPC) conducted a partial recount and concluded that there were no significant changes in the process. The transparency of the elections was confirmed, and the court rejected Martínez's claims. The dispute continued before the Electoral Court of the Judiciary of the Federation (TEPJF), whose regional chamber in Guadalajara also dismissed the former candidate's main charges.
Three ratifications: one at the ballot box and two in the courts. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains.
The price of judicial lethargy
The question is clear: why hasn't the court made a final judgment yet? This delay not only prolongs polarization but also undermines trust in institutions. Electoral courts must not only deliver justice, but also guarantee democratic stability. In the current situation of growing political tension in Mexico, the prolongation of these processes represents a risk that could have serious consequences.
Recent experience shows how electoral uncertainty can lead to deep divisions and a weakening of trust in the system. Examples include the Bolivian dispute that dragged on in 2019 and the Bush vs. Gore In 2000, the United States showed the consequences of timely resolution of electoral conflicts.
In Mexico, we have already seen how prolonged electoral processes can create an atmosphere of tension and instability. Guadalajara, a key city for the country's politics and economy, cannot afford to fall into this cycle of uncertainty.
People's will and trust in institutions
Challenges are legitimate democratic mechanisms, but they must be based on solid evidence. In this case, three cases – the election itself and two judicial decisions – confirmed the victory of Verónica Delgadillo. Nevertheless, the delay in the resolution appears to favor uncertainty over certainty, endangering confidence in democratic institutions.
The citizens of Guadalajara have already spoken. The white smoke on June 2 will be enough for the courts to adapt their decision to the will of the people. It is not only a matter of validating the election results, but also of maintaining trust in the democratic system that sustains the country.
A lost time that cannot be regained
In his reflections on freedom, Jean-Paul Sartre argued that time is an irredeemable resource; once lost, it cannot be recovered. Given the current situation, every day the courts delay a decision is a day they are playing with the time and patience of the citizens. This long wait becomes an open wound that affects not only Guadalajara, but also the trust in the entire democratic system.
Lost time is not just a chronological gap; The emptiness of hope and certainty. When the institutions responsible for justice postpone their decisions, the damage goes beyond a simple postponed election. At stake is the credibility of a system that must demonstrate its ability to serve people efficiently and in a timely manner.
Truth should not depend on time.