Blanca Cruz takes interim charge of Mexico’s electoral authority
Mexico’s electoral council has chosen Blanca Yassahara Cruz García to lead the institution after Guadalupe Taddei’s resignation. The appointment keeps election preparations moving while the Chamber of Deputies selects a permanent successor. Taddei’s departure followed allegations about contracts, with an audit investigation examining possible irregularities. Cruz previously led Puebla’s electoral authority.
Geopolitics··Midday
Council appoints temporary leader
Mexico’s National Electoral Institute, the national body overseeing elections, selected Blanca Yassahara Cruz García as its provisional president on 27 October after Guadalupe Taddei Zavala resigned. The General Council’s decision fills the leadership vacancy while the Chamber of Deputies conducts the procedure for a permanent replacement. Cruz’s immediate responsibilities include keeping the council’s work and election preparations running during the transition.[1], [2]
After the extraordinary council session, the appointment agreement was signed and immediately sent to the Chamber of Deputies. The notification allows the chamber to begin formal preparations for calling for candidates to the presidency. N+ said the permanent appointee completes the vacant presidential term through April 2032. Council members and party representatives expressed support for Cruz during the session.[2]
Election preparations continue through transition
The institute is preparing the electoral process for 2026–2027, which began in September. Cruz’s appointment comes after service in both national and state electoral administration. A lawyer with postgraduate legal training at Puebla’s autonomous university, she has more than 10 years of experience in the professional electoral service. She headed the electoral authority in Puebla, a Mexican state, from 2022 until the beginning of this year before joining the national council in April.[1]
Cruz entered the General Council on 22 April after selection by the Chamber of Deputies for a 9-year term ending in 2035. That council term is separate from the temporary presidency. Her earlier electoral work included organising elections and acting leadership roles in district and local offices. On taking office, she said preparations for the 2027 vote continued according to the existing calendar.[1], [2]
Contract allegations precede Taddei’s departure
The lower house received Taddei’s resignation letter on 26 October. Her departure followed allegations involving contracts awarded by the institute and criticism from fellow council members about how decisions were taken. Mexico’s federal audit authority opened an investigation into possible contracting irregularities, conflicts of interest, collusion and movement of public funds. Those allegations remain under examination. Council members had also challenged instability in senior appointments, including repeated changes in the executive secretariat under Taddei.[1]
The audit inquiry also covers local electoral bodies, companies, public officials and suppliers. N+ said auditors had indications of possible irregularities involving several contracts. During Taddei’s presidency the institute’s executive secretariat had 5 appointments, according to Expansión’s account of criticism of senior staffing. The investigations into public resources run alongside the parliamentary succession procedure.[1], [2]
