Under Mexican law, campaign season begins March 30. The former governor of the State of Mexico was due to begin his nationwide campaign for the presidency at midday in the Plaza Tapatia in front of the Hospicio Cabañas. From there he was expected to join former PRI Mayor Jorge Aristoteles Sandoval Diaz in the Plaza de la Liberacion, to officially launch his campaign for the Jalisco governorship.
Beginning its campaign in Guadalajara illustrates the PRI’s determination to reclaim both the presidency and the state of Jalisco, which has been a National Action Party (PAN) stronghold for the past 18 years. Previously, the PRI governed the state for six uninterrupted decades.
While we will be seeing plenty of publicity promoting the candidates in the coming months, under Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) rules, governmental propaganda is forbidden on both television and radio once the March 30 deadline has passed. This is to prevent politicians in office from exploiting their positions to promote partisan agendas.
The official campaign period lasts until until June 27. Mexicans then go to the polls on Sunday, July 1.