Mexico Electoral Reform Greeted by Tens of Thousands of Protesters

Tens of thousands have gathered in Mexico City's massive central plaza to demonstrate against Mexico electoral reform proposed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Sunday, which the demonstrators fear will undermine democracy and lead the country back to its past.

It is estimated that 100,000 people can fit inside the plaza, but many protestors took to the streets outside the center during the demonstrations.

Protesters chanted, "Don't touch my vote!" and wore mostly white and pink, the official colors of the National Electoral Institute.

The marchers had a slightly more affluent appearance than those at the typical demonstration, comparable to a similar but somewhat larger march on November 13, AP reports.

The Mexico electoral reform was approved by the legislature last week.

It would reduce pay for election workers, resources for state and municipal election authorities, and education and certification opportunities for poll workers.

Furthermore, they would soften penalties for candidates who misstate campaign funds.

The president of Mexico claims that those who criticize the reforms are elitist and that the institute wastes too much money. Still, he maintains that the reforms pose no danger to democracy. He believes the money would be better used to help the needy.

Veterinarian and protester Enrique Bastien, 64, argued that López Obrador, with his reforms, "wants to return to the past" when the government controlled the elections.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador Says INE Is Too Expensive and Biased

The leftist Lopez Obrador claims the INE is too expensive and biased in favor of his rivals. However, he claims he was twice denied the presidency before romping to a resounding success in the 2018 election.

The president portrayed the protests on Sunday as a partisan effort by the opposition to undermine his administration, according to Reuters.

The INE claims that the president's reforms make it more difficult to have free and open elections because they violate the constitution, limit the electoral body's independence, and eliminate thousands of jobs devoted to protecting the electoral process.

Polls show that Lopez Obrador is still liked by 60% or more of the people. He has also weakened other independent bodies that check his power, saying they cost too much money and are against his political project.

The proposed changes to INE will save $150 million annually, he said.

The National Renewal Movement (MORENA), led by the president and quickly becoming the country's most powerful political organization, is widely seen as a frontrunner for the 2024 election.

People were sick of the president acting like a "dictator," according to Antonio Mondragon, a retired dentist who voted for Lopez Obrador in 2018. Mondragon was at the Mexico City demonstration.

"We need to get back to being a democracy," said the 83-year-old Mondragon, "because the man is going mad."

Andrés Manuel López Obrador Signs Mexico Electoral Reform Amid Criticism

The Mexican elections commissioner called President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's move to cut election spending to attack democracy.

Even though he expects legal challenges, Andrés Manuel López Obrador signed the Mexico electoral reform.

The president claims that the group wastes resources and that the money could be better used to assist the poor.

Many people have strong feelings about the changes; some have even threatened legal action or organized protests elsewhere.

For his part, Andrés Manuel López Obrador has begun accusing them of being racists and aristocrats who support corruption.

"The march is to defend their privileges; they are protesting because they don't want to help the poor," López Obrador said last week.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Thousands in Mexico protest electoral overhaul - From Reuters