The Organic Law of Municipalities and Development Commissions establishes indefinite re-election for the position of mayor. In this sense, the project presented proposes the modification of article 9 of said law establishing that the mayor who has already served 2 consecutive terms must wait at least 4 years to run again as a candidate for the same position.
“The spirit of this proposal is to avoid perpetuation in power, and that whoever is currently holding a position is effectively replaced, through popular vote, by another person,” says Rivas.
The rule “is in line with what is stipulated for the positions of President and Governor, as established by the Constitution, guaranteeing one of the republican principles, which is the periodic renewal of authorities and alternation in positions. Even though periodic and theoretically free and pure elections are held, risks of personalization of power are generated that weaken the possibility of achieving real democracy,” explains a press release.
“The main theorists and experts on the subject point out that the limitation on indefinite re-elections is a determining aspect for electoral competition because it creates favorable conditions for those who are out of power and want to compete for it through the vote.”
And he adds “the alternation is not only healthy to avoid perpetuation in office, but it also prevents taking advantage of the situation of managing all municipal resources, such as the distribution of social aid, among others, to compete in elections.” . This arises from the inspection of municipal balances carried out by councilors who in many cases notice the increase in expenditures for social action expenses in electoral periods.”
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