by Tom Hansen, Aug 24, 1998

Mexico's non-partisan electoral watchdog organization, Alianza Civica, is convening an international support delegation for the observation of the October 4th municipal elections in Chiapas.

Concern is high because some observers have contended that ongoing violence, heavy federal military presence, pro-government paramilitary activity, massive internal refugee issues, deep political polarization, and a deadlocked "peace process" make fair elections in Chiapas impossible at this time. In order to assess the pre-electoral climate and the viability of the electoral process, Alianza Civica recently sent an expert team to Chiapas. A report from this team will be available in early September.

Meanwhile, Alianza Civica is planning an observation and is seeking expert international support for observation of and reporting on the electoral context and voting day procedures. Honest and accurate reporting is especially important because issues of municipal control have been the subject of an intense polemic and the trigger for violent repression in Chiapas in recent months.