Mónica Soto concludes her management at the TEPJF with a call to strengthen electoral justice

The presiding judge of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF), Mónica Aralí Soto Fregosoconcluded his assignment this Thursday as head of the country’s highest body of electoral justice, with a message focused on institutional continuity, the unity of the plenary session and the renewal of the commitment to Mexican democracy.

In the public session on October 30, Soto Fregoso acknowledged that his cycle at the head of the court is coming to an end, although this “should not be interpreted as a farewell,” but as the beginning of a new stage in the institutional life of the court. “It is a moment and these are moments of closing cycles. They are not farewells. It seems to me that it is important to make it clear that institutions are always prevailing beyond people,” he expressed before the plenary session of the Superior Chamber.

Soto Fregoso affirmed that his presidency took place in a key stage in the political history of the Countrymarked by the rating of the presidential election of Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and by the validation of the first judicial election in Mexico. Both processes, he stated, were developed with responsibility, commitment and adherence to the Constitution, guaranteeing the certainty and legitimacy of the results.

“It was a cycle of learning, it was a cycle of challenges, it was a cycle of exercising responsibilities at the head of this institution, of conducting work in moments and electoral processes relevant to Mexican history,” said the judge.

The judge highlighted the collaboration between the members of the Plenary during the last two electoral processes, in which, he said, the Court responded effectively to citizens’ demands, in addition to which dialogue and commitment were essential to maintain institutional stability, even in complex contexts. “I know that together we gave the institutional, democratic and justice response that Mexico required,” He stated prior to the session.

Soto Fregoso took the opportunity to recognize the professionalism and dedication of the judges with whom he shared duties, who, “despite their differences in legal criteria, acted responsibly to guarantee fair and well-founded decisions.” He also highlighted that under his leadership, the plenary session never stopped meeting nor faced quorum problems, which allowed all means of challenge to be resolved promptly.

“We never hesitated to fulfill our duty. We were always there to resolve in a timely manner all the means of challenge that were put to our discussion in each and every one of the sessions”stated the magistrate.

In his speech, he also dedicated words to Judge Janine Otálora Malassis, who is completing her term as a member of the court, recognizing her career, strength and contribution to strengthening electoral justice. “It is not possible to remove Judge Otálora without recognizing her work, her career, her strength and what she has contributed to this electoral court and what she has also contributed with her firmness in her decisions, sometimes shared and sometimes not, but always valid and constitutional,” he stated.

The outgoing president He highlighted that during his management, the Court strengthened its internal structure, consolidated its processes and reaffirmed its role as guarantor of the political-electoral rights of citizens. He assured that the results of his administration are the result of the joint work of the magistrates, the jurisdictional and administrative staff, and the regional chambers.

“Today we deliver accounts… not individual ones, we deliver accounts as a collegiate body. We deliver accounts of the work of this institution,” he stated.

Soto Fregoso highlighted the coordination with local electoral authorities, which he described as pillars of Mexican federalism. He affirmed that his collaboration contributed to strengthening the electoral system and citizen confidence in the institutions. “The local electoral authorities taught us with each step, with each decision, that Mexican federalism is not only a form of government, but a way of life that reflects the co-responsibility and cohesion of our society and our citizens,” he said.

Taking stock of his management, considered that collective efforts made it possible to consolidate a modern, reliable court with the capacity to respond to the challenges of the recent elections. Beyond the challenges, she said, it was possible to consolidate a strong Court, a national reference and a firm guarantor of political-electoral rights, the magistrate stated.

Soto Fregoso stressed that his presidency was a period of institutionality and dialogue, and highlighted that for the first time in nine years, “the transition in the leadership of the court is carried out in an orderly, transparent manner and with full respect for the powers of each magistracy.”

During her message, the magistrate announced that As of November 1, Judge Gilberto Bátiz García will assume the presidency of the TEPJF, to whom he expressed his confidence, stating that “his leadership will give continuity to the institutional strengthening and the values ​​that support jurisdictional work.”

“I am convinced that Judge Batis will carry out this task with integrity, firmness and sensitivity guided by the highest standards of professional demands to those of us who provide justice. His career and vocation for service are solid, transparent and committed management. I fully trust that his leadership will not know how to lead down the paths of electoral justice,” urged the magistrate.

Finally, Soto Fregoso assured that she will continue serving the Country from her position as a member of the Superior Court.with the same commitment and sense of responsibility that has guided his career. “I am retiring from this presidency to assume with grave honor, with great honor as well, what is my position as the dispenser of justice of this court to also be a member of this integration,” she stated.

Likewise, he stated that the court remains a solid, united and consolidated institution in favor of electoral justice, with the support of professionals committed to transparency and legality, he concluded.

YC