Morena denounces alleged vote purchase in Coahuila for 200 pesos; "the ballots confirm the QRGate!", she says

On June 14, the Institute of Electoral Affairs of Coahuila (IEC) held an extraordinary session of its General Council to approve the state-level count of the election for local deputies. This process determined the distribution of proportional representation seats in the upcoming Congress. According to the results, the ruling party, Morena, secured five seats. Other parties such as the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), New Ideas, the Democratic Unity of Coahuila (UDC), and the Labor Party also received one seat each under the proportional representation system. The allocation of these seats was based on the percentage of votes obtained by each political group during the electoral process.

The IEC validated a total of 1,213,321 votes cast in the elections. As a result of this outcome, the upcoming Congress will consist of 25 seats, with the majority being occupied by members of the Alliance for Security formed by the PRI and UDC, which will hold 18 seats. Morena will have five seats, while New Ideas and the Labor Party will each occupy one seat. Additionally, the local party Mexico Avante lost its registration due to failing to secure at least 3 percent of the vote. National parties such as the National Action Party (PAN), Movement for Citizen Participation (Movimiento Ciudadano), and the Green Party will lose their local privileges.

During the session, Oscar Daniel Rodriguez Fuentes, the president of the IEC, stated that the acts were delivered according to the percentage of votes each party obtained. He described the electoral process as exemplary and successful, emphasizing the transparency of the procedures followed by the IEC.

In response to the election results, Morena accused the PRI of engaging in systematic vote-buying practices. Through social media platforms, Morena shared images of ballots showing evidence of alleged irregularities. These included messages and marks indicating a potential network of coercion and bribery. The party claimed that the PRI offered voters up to 200 pesos per vote, using a QR code system to facilitate payments. Observers from Morena reportedly captured footage of these activities during the counting process.

According to Morena's national leader, Ariadna Montiel, the PRI implemented a similar strategy in the previous year’s municipal elections in Durango. She presented photographs and videos demonstrating how individuals allegedly used QR codes to upload photos of their ballots onto a platform where they would receive payment either via Oxxo stores or in cash. The QR code served as proof of payment, ensuring that the transaction was completed.

Despite these allegations, the PRI celebrated its victory in Coahuila, claiming that it achieved a complete success in the elections. Ruben Moreira, the coordinator of the PRI in the Chamber of Deputies, emphasized that the party's triumph was also influenced by the current challenges faced by Morena and its government. He called for the formation of an opposition alliance in Mexico, arguing that unity among opposition forces could challenge Morena's dominance in future elections.

In response to Moreira's call for an opposition alliance, Kenia Lopez, the president of the legislative chamber, acknowledged that the PAN would lose its registration in Coahuila but suggested that the party might reconsider the proposal. For now, she indicated that the PAN would continue to pursue independent strategies rather than forming alliances.

Morena, however, rejected the notion that its performance in Coahuila constituted a defeat. It maintained that the election results did not reflect a loss but rather demonstrated the effectiveness of its campaign efforts. The party continued to emphasize the need for transparency and integrity in the electoral process, urging authorities to investigate the claims of vote-buying thoroughly.

As the new legislative term approaches, the political landscape in Coahuila remains dynamic, with both Morena and the PRI preparing for the responsibilities ahead. The outcomes of the recent elections will likely influence policy directions and coalition formations in the coming years. With the IEC having finalized the distribution of seats, attention now turns to the formation of the new Congress and the implementation of policies that align with the electorate's expectations.