Jalisco’s outgoing Governor Emilio Gonzalez introduced a bill to the State Congress this week proposing that citizens with no party affiliation be allowed to stand for political office.
Under current law, only members of registered political parties are permitted to run for states offices. But Gonzalez insisted that his bill is justified by an amendment to the Mexican Constitution passed in August, “which establishes the possibility of registering independent candidates with guidelines issued by the local legislatures.”
The bill would enable all Jalisco citizens to become municipal mayors, governors or state congressmen.“The purpose of this initiative is to bring higher levels of democracy to our state and above all to open opportunities for citizen participation. With reforms and initiatives like these, Jalisco is without doubt improved and moving forward,” Gonzalez added.