To vote or not to vote, that is the question | Votar o no votar, esa es la cuestión

Editorial, El Diario:

After two years of debates, disputes, and turbulence in the Legislative Assembly, as well as in the Judicial, Electoral, and Executive branches, on December 15, judicial elections will finally take place to fill the 84 seats across various chambers of the country’s judicial system. The event will unfold amidst a heated political climate, with doubts, assertions of all kinds, and repeated postponements, causing concern among citizens.

First, the value of electing high judicial authorities through universal suffrage was called into question. Subsequently, it was pointed out that, despite acknowledging past mistakes, there was a persistence in repeating the same error—an approach that would be sheer folly, naturally leading to a more significant failure. Despite these criticisms, the Judicial Branch proceeded, turning the Political Constitution and other procedures on their heads. Without sound judgment, principles were set aside—principles that are equally crucial in everyday life and in politics.

These and other factors contributed to making the election of magistrates a process fraught with major issues. Ultimately, citizens are left to make a personal, ethical decision about whether or not to participate in the upcoming vote.

On this note, it is essential to recognize that any process—such as universal suffrage for electing magistrates—only gains value when it is tested in practice. Otherwise, it becomes a crude mockery, a product of the philosophy of absurdity and speculation.

Until applied, it is merely an accumulation of words. This has already happened twice before with the aim of electing magistrates through universal suffrage. Practice has shown that the idea lacked value, and if repeated, it will lead to another error that will have to be endured for another five years—unless annulled. On the other hand, if this time it yields positive results, it could then be considered for future application. For now, we leave the matter in the hands of practice, and the question remains primarily whether to vote or abstain.

Finally, it is well known that the election of magistrates has always had unique characteristics. In all cases, it was intended to uphold judicial independence as the foundation of impartial justice, ensuring that people have an institution they can trust—one not subject to the decisions of executive or legislative authorities.

Judicial independence currently relies on systems developed through practice, stemming from a judicial career path and adherence to meritocracy among legal professionals. Decisions should not depend on authorities from other branches of power. For this reason, more than anything, a profound reform of justice administration is urgently needed.

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