Human Rights Watch warns against Mexico's 'regressive' electoral overhaul

FILE PHOTO: Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gestures as he speaks after attending a march with supporters to mark his fourth year in office, in Mexico City, Mexico November 27, 2022. REUTERS/Toya Sarno Jordan

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A leading rights group on Monday called for Mexican lawmakers to vote against a proposal to overhaul the electoral system, warning it could seriously undermine electoral authorities' independence, putting free and fair elections at risk.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's proposal to reform Mexico's National Electoral Institute (INE) would cut the INE's budget and change how electoral authorities are elected.