We'll talk about it later: Sheinbaum avoids answering about possible irregular use of public resources at the INE

Former head of Mexico’s National Electoral Institute, Lorenzo Córdova, has publicly rejected calls for new audits of his tenure, stating that federal auditors found no irregularities during his time leading the body. In a social media post dated October 28, 2026, Córdova responded directly to President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had requested a comprehensive review of contracts at the INE spanning multiple administrations. Córdova asserted that during his leadership from 2014 to 2023, the Federal Audit Office, known as the ASF, identified no violations. He noted that the final audit conducted under his watch took place in 2022 and resulted in no formal charges. Any observations raised were addressed promptly and correctly, according to his statement. The former council president accused Sheinbaum of attempting to divert attention away from the current crisis facing the electoral institute. He argued that the responsibility for the present situation lies with the ruling party. Córdova highlighted that since 2019, the head of the INE’s Internal Control Body was appointed by the majority coalition in the Chamber of Deputies. Despite these efforts, he claimed that official investigators failed to uncover significant anomalies. He expressed willingness for authorities to re-examine resources spent during the nine years he headed the organization. Córdova stated that officials with transparent management have nothing to fear from further scrutiny. President Sheinbaum made her request during a morning press conference on October 27. She urged the ASF to conduct a broad audit of INE contracts, covering both the current administration led by Guadalupe Taddei and previous terms, including Córdova’s. The goal, she said, was to clarify potential conflicts of interest, irregularities, and misuse of public funds. She emphasized that the review should not be limited to the last year or specific contracts linked to allegations against Taddei. Instead, it should encompass all periods where possible anomalies have been identified. This demand followed an announcement by the ASF that it would investigate INE contracts, local electoral bodies, and related suppliers after identifying signs of irregularities, conflicts of interest, collusion, and resource triangulation. Tensions regarding the institute’s contracting practices escalated throughout October, preceding the resignation of Taddei. She had been elected in 2023 to serve until 2032 but stepped down after three and a half years amid journalistic reports linking suppliers to staff within the presidential office. On Saturday, October 24, while visiting Apatzingán in Michoacán for a credit distribution event, Sheinbaum declined to answer questions about the scandal. When pressed by reporters, she replied, "We will talk about that later." During her speech, she avoided mentioning Taddei by name but stated that the Fourth Transformation does not want corruption. She declared that moral authority stems from honesty and that unity between the people and government relies on this principle. The INE issued a communication late Friday night expressing its support for a thorough investigation. The body stated it would cooperate fully with the ASF and its internal control unit, which already received relevant case files. The institute maintained that each file must be reviewed in context based on documents and evidence, and that responsibilities must be determined by competent authorities. It affirmed that no contracting process, public servant, or supplier is above the law. The presidency of the electoral body insisted it has always acted with integrity within constitutional limits. To demonstrate transparency, the INE announced the launch of a microsite titled "INE always in view, with you at every step," allowing citizens to consult contracts, amounts, suppliers, and supporting documents. Guadalupe Taddei denied favoring specific supplier companies in a press conference where she did not accept questions. She stated that public contracting requires rules, files, competition, and reviewable decisions. She confirmed that records regarding potential omissions in asset declarations for individuals named in media reports had been sent to the Internal Control Body. Taddei asked citizens to trust the electoral process and assured them their votes remain protected. She reminded employees that they form the backbone of Mexican democracy and urged them to continue working with serenity and technical rigor. Discrepancies exist in the figures cited regarding financial damages. One report indicated the ASF opened an ex officio investigation citing potential damage to the treasury exceeding 65.5 million pesos observed in 2005 that remained unresolved. Another account referenced irregularities detected in contracts totaling 514 million pesos involving supplier companies. The ASF specified that it possesses evidentiary elements indicating irregularities in various contracts, potential conflicts of interest, collusion, and triangulation of resources. The agency’s intervention follows intense media scrutiny over alleged links between suppliers and personnel attached to the INE presidency. Córdova’s response frames the current audit demands as politically motivated distractions. He pointed out that the INE was one of the most audited institutions in the country during his term. By contrast, Sheinbaum’s stance focuses on ensuring honesty as the foundation of governance. The political standoff highlights ongoing tensions between the executive branch and independent electoral bodies. As the investigations proceed, the focus remains on whether the findings will lead to legal actions or administrative changes. The upcoming availability of the INE’s new transparency platform is expected to provide additional data points for public and regulatory review. Both parties maintain that their respective positions align with legal obligations and democratic principles. The outcome of the ASF’s work will determine the extent of accountability measures taken against individuals or processes within the institute.