Mexico City: In an unprecedented move, Mexico held its first-ever national judicial elections on Sunday, allowing citizens to vote directly for over 2,600 judges and magistrates, including all nine Supreme Court justices. This significant shift from an appointment-based system to a popular vote is part of a sweeping judicial reform championed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and continued by his successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The reform aims to combat corruption and democratize the judiciary, which critics have long viewed as elitist and disconnected from the populace. However, the elections have sparked controversy due to the inclusion of candidates with contentious backgrounds, such as a convicted drug smuggler and a former lawyer for notorious drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán.

Opposition parties, notably the National Action Party (PAN), have called for a boycott, labeling the elections a "vulgar fraud" and expressing fears that the reforms could erode judicial independence and enable organized crime to infiltrate the legal system. Despite these concerns, President Sheinbaum defends the changes as a transformative step toward a more accountable judiciary.

Voter turnout is anticipated to be low, with only 37% of eligible voters expressing intent to participate, citing the complexity of the ballot and the overwhelming number of candidates—over 7,700 vying for various judicial positions.

Final results are expected by June 15, with another round of voting for more than 1,000 judicial posts scheduled for 2027. As Mexico navigates this uncharted territory, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential implications for the country's rule of law and democratic institutions.