Leaders of four political parties demanded the annulment of election results in Tijuana after several anomalies were detected.
In a press conference, Institutional Revolutionary Party (or PRI in Spanish) National Committee Delegate in Baja California Leobardo Alcalá said his allies from three other political parties will introduce the request after an alleged fraud was discovered in the state’s largest city.
Alcalá said Governor Francisco Vega and the National Action Party (or PAN in Spanish) candidate Juan Gastélum were allegedly part of the fraud.
Members of the State Electoral Institute General Council voted to suspend temporarily three board members and a secretary in District 11 Council after anomalies were detected. The suspended members were succeeded by three council members.
Alcalá considered this measure as a de facto annulment in that district, as well as in Districts 10 and 13.
“It is shown by the General Council that ineptitude was proved by all council members, by removing (some of) them, just during the district tally of votes, which under no circumstance can be legally interrupted,” he said. “The Electoral Council acted under the premise of selective justice by not removing the rest of the district council members, besides the members of Districts 11 and 13 where more grave violations were found.”
Media outlets have reported ballots were found in a trash can and sealed district doors were illegally opened before the final tally of votes.
According to preliminary results, PAN candidate Gastélum won the June 7 mayoral election in Tijuana, taking the city back to his party after nine years.
The PRI delegate said his rivals paid voters 600 pesos to vote for their party, an issue also brought on social media against the PRI.
Alcalá also said preliminary tally of votes and final results differ in 134 cases that translate in between 15,000 and 20,000 votes.
“After all these violations there is no certitude that results are trustworthy, so we will ask to annul the election at the Electoral Court,” he said.
Special education services extended
Eight additional schools will provide special education services during the next school year, an official announced Monday.
State Education System Delegate in Mexicali Alejandro Bahena said the eight middle schools included for special education services will add to the two junior high schools that have been providing such services.
The delegate said the service is available in kindergarten and elementary schools, but special education has observed an increasing need.
Authorities will not increase equipment to provide such service, he said.
Special education services are available to students who are in such need like handicapped and outstanding students.
Taco shop owner shots men
The owner of a taco shop was arrested early Tuesday after allegedly shooting two men at a rival eatery, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said police officers arrested Roberto “Doe,” 35 and Francisco “Doe,” 16, at 1:51 a.m. owners of Taquería Bebo located at Manuel Mier y Terán Avenue and Eleventh Street at Colonia Vicente Guerrero neighborhood.
According to the police the injured man were identified as Alejandro “Doe,” 23, who had an injury in the lower abdominal area and Fernando “Doe,” 38, who had a shot in the back.
When police officers arrived on scene authorities found the victims laying on the floor and an ambulance was requested for medical assistance.
A witness told police agents the whereabouts of the suspects.
The man and the teenager were eventually arrested and transported to the police headquarters.
Police officers did not find the firearm used during the incident, but located three .22-caliber caskets on scene.
Authorities said one of the victim’s son told police agents that after passing by “El Vaquero” taco shop someone challenged the suspects for a fight.
A man was punched by the victim on his face, authorities said.
The injured man and his father arrived on scene and the older male was punched too.
Another man took a firearm from his grandmother’s home and the suspect brandished the gun and opened fire against the victims.
The injured men were transported to Mexicali’s General Hospital.
Couple caught dismantling vehicle
A man and a woman were arrested Monday in an abandoned residence close to Mexicali’s Civic Center while dismantling a vehicle, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 4 p.m. police officers arrested Iván “Doe,” 28 and Diana “Doe,” 20, at Callejón Mineros Avenue, between G and H streets.
The couple was caught while dismantling a black Volvo vehicle that was reported stolen.
The suspects were transported to the police headquarters.
Man arrested with firearm
A 36-year-old man was arrested Tuesday morning while driving a vehicle over the speed limit, in which a firearm was found, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 2:10 a.m. a man who was identified as Javier “Doe,” 36, was arrested on a burgundy Honda Accord with Oregon plates at Rosa del Desierto Street and San Luis Highway at Fraccionamiento Valle del Pedregal neighborhood in southeastern Mexicali.
Police officers observed the driver and stopped him.
While being interviewed, the suspect showed a nervous behavior, authorities said.
The suspect had nothing illegal on his possession, the police said.
However, a .22-caliber Western Derringer revolver was found on the passenger’s seat.
The man was arrested and transported to a federal prosecutorial agency under charges of possession of a firearm.
