A state lawmaker introduced a bill that, if enacted, would provide an easier path to independent candidates in order to file their documents.
Assemblyman Juan Molina, a Mexicali member of the Citizen’s Movement Party, made a proposal to amend the Law for Independent Candidacies and Electoral Law.
The lawmaker said given the low levels of voter turnout statewide it is time to motivate citizens’ active participation in public issues.
The bill includes provisions to reduce the percentage of signatures of registered voters needed to file candidacies to 2.5 percent and to increase political monetary contributions.
The measure also seeks to give independent candidates 45 days to obtain signatures and the right to appeal election results before the Electoral Court as political parties and coalitions can do as of today.
The bill was turned to the Legislative State Reform Commission.
Gas station robbed
Two men were arrested early Monday after a robbery was reported at a gas station in southern Mexicali, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 3:20 a.m. a robbery was reported at Rendi Chicas gas station located at Hacienda De Corralejo Street and Castellón Boulevard at Colonia Hidalgo neighborhood.
After arriving on scene police officers interviewed an employee who said the suspects arrived and asked for water.
In the meantime, one of the suspects brandished a screwdriver and demanded money.
After obtaining the cash the suspects fled on foot.
Police officers found Jesús “Doe,” 24 and Gonzalo “Doe,” 29, along with the screwdriver and 800 pesos or $44.44.
The suspects were arrested and transported to the police headquarters.
Man caught after robbery
Three men were arrested Monday morning after allegedly committing a robbery against a convenience store, said the Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said a robbery was reported at 9:54 a.m. at the Oxxo store located at 6 de Noviembre Street and Gómez Morín Boulevard at Colonia Carbajal neighborhood in southern Mexicali.
According to the reporting party, the men arrived on scene and brandished a 8-inch kitchen knife to get two boxes of beer and money.
The suspects were identified as Norverto Antonio “Doe,” 19; Andrés Alonzo “Doe,” 20 and Carlos Paul “Doe,” 19.
Police officers found and arrested the suspects along with the beer and 220 pesos or $12.22.
The suspects were transported to the police headquarters.
Vehicles reported stolen recovered
State authorities have recovered statewide during the year 266 vehicles that were previously reported stolen, an official said.
Preventive Police Department Chief Marco Antonio Montoya said state officers have also dismantled five criminal bands dedicated to car robberies.
Residents and victims have dialed the police hotlines 066 and 089 that has led authorities to the results, he said.
Of the vehicles, 102 have been found in Tijuana, 101 in Ensenada, 58 in Mexicali and the rest in Rosarito and Tecate.
Of the bands, two were from Tijuana, two from Mexicali and one from Ensenada.
The robbed vehicles were mainly Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Ford, with lesser numbers of Mazda, Chevrolet, Jeep and Hyundai, he said.
School year officially begins
The school year was officially launched Monday morning during a special ceremony held at Benito Juárez Elementary School in Mexicali.
State Education System Director in Mexicali Alejandro Bahena said over 10,000 teachers and little more than 195,000 students were back to the 1,140 schools the city has.
The official asked students to start the year with enthusiasm and commitment to comply with their responsibilities like studying, doing homework and other tasks, and remembered them that school preparation is the weapon for success.
After education reform, kindergarten students will attend for two additional hours.
Bahena said 1,081 schools will work for 200 school year days while 67 opted for a 185-day school year.
