CommonBorders is a community-based, non-partisan non-profit society that coordinates international electoral delegations. CommonBorders provides Victorians with the unique opportunity to experience and learn about democratic processes and social justice movements in Latin America while serving as electoral observers. |
Dear Friend:
On July 2, 2006 the people of Mexico will go to the polls to select the country’s president, 500 deputies, 128 senators and a number of state governors. Alianza Civica, a Mexican non-governmental, non-partisan organization that promotes the development of civil society and democratic participation, has invited CommonBorders to send a delegation of electoral observers to this important election. CommonBorders is inviting you to be a part of this delegation.
What is Common Borders?
CommonBorders is a community-based, non-partisan non-profit society that coordinates international electoral delegations. CommonBorders provides Victorians with the unique opportunity to experience and learn about democratic processes and social justice movements in Latin America while serving as electoral observers. Over the last six years, CommonBorders has organized seven electoral delegations to Guatemala (1999) Mexico (1999, 2000 and 2005), Peru (2001) and El Salvador (2003 and 2004). Our goal is to support and promote electoral participation and education at home and abroad while creating valuable links between Victorians and individuals and organizations in host countries.
Election Background:
From the end of the Mexican Revolution until 2000, the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) held a political monopoly over most of Mexico, including the presidency. For over 70 years, elections in Mexico were characterised by violence, fraud and corruption, and functioned mostly to advance the position of the ruling party. During this time, the PRI further secured its power by restricting and monitoring democratic movements.
In the decade leading up to the 2000 elections, Mexico faced increasing local and international pressure to open up democratic spaces and support the growth of civil society. In 1994, changes were made to the country’s constitution to allow foreigners to serve as electoral observers. In 2000, the right-wing Partido Accion Nacional (PAN) finally upset the PRI’s stronghold on power after a long and dirty election campaign, making Vicente Fox the first president not from the ruling party in over 70 years.
Although the PAN’s win was heralded as a victory for the democratic process in Mexico, Fox has not lived up to the widely held expectation that he would effect meaningful change in Mexico. In particular, human rights groups claim the political situation in Mexico has not changed significantly under Fox and believe elections in Mexico continue to be marred by violence and electoral fraud.
The competition among the three major political parties for this election is expected to be fierce. The PAN is eager to maintain its hold on the presidency, but has been steadily losing support over the last few years. The party’s losses in both gubernatorial and state elections, particularly those in former PAN strongholds, have many commentators speculating that Mexicans will reject the party at the polls in July, 2006. Conversely, the two other major parties have experienced increased public support over the last few years. The PRI has made considerable gains, winning almost a majority of the seats in the Congress in 2003, and winning some very important state and gubernatorial elections, such as the most-populous Estado de Mexico. Many commentators believe that the PRI could regain the presidency.
Similarly, the left-wing Partido de la Revolucion Democratica (PRD) has secured greater support, leading PRD supporters to speculate that their candidate could win the presidency. A victory for the PRD would represent a significant political shift in Mexico, forcing many to reflect on the 1988 presidential elections, in which massive fraud thwarted the PRD candidate’s near presidential victory. With so much at stake for all three major parties, the electoral period could be marked by a particularly tense and dirty campaign.
Common Borders Invited to Send Observer Delegation Alianza Civica has invited CommonBorders along with other international organizations to send a delegation of electoral observers for the July 2006 federal elections. Common Borders is inviting all interested Victorians to consider joining us to be a part of this delegation. We are looking for committed and conscientious individuals who have a genuine interest working with Canadians and Mexicans to support these very important elections.
How can I find out more about the delegation? CommonBorders will be providing two information sessions over the coming weeks. This will be an opportunity to meet past CommonBorders delegates and learn more about being an electoral observer.
Date: Thursday, October 20
Time: 7-8 p.m.
Place: Central Library Meeting Room, 735 Broughton St., Victoria
and
Date: Wednesday, November 2
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Place: Room 158, Murray and Anne Fraser Building, University of Victoria.
For more information, or to obtain an application for the Mexico 2006 delegation, visit our website at www.commonborders.org or contact us at elections@commonborders.org.
Much work will need to be done in the coming months but we are confident that with your involvement we can join with the people of Mexico to support their effort to build a more democratic society.
Sincerely,
CommonBorders Board of Directors