The Jalisco Electoral Tribunal (TEPJF) has upheld the results of Chapala’s July 1 municipal election, rejecting the nullification suit filed by Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) candidate Gerardo Degollado.
In a unanimous ruling issued on August 30, the five TEPJF magistrates determined that Degollado did not establish grounds for overturning the election regarding a claim that the use of electronic voting machines was unconstitutional. Neither did he provide sufficient evidence to support the premise of irregularities tabulating the vote and accusations that incumbent city officials and local police intimidated voters. The tribunal thereby confirmed the vote count and Joaquin Huerta’s election as mayor for the 2012-2014 term.
In his bid to regain the office he held from 2007 through 2009, Degollado picked up 9,375 votes, compared to the 10,554 tally for Huerta. However, he and two others candidates from the top of the PRI ticket did garner seats on the next city council.