A state lawmaker introduced a bill that seeks to prohibit the usage of cell phones and photographic cameras inside polling places.
Assemblyman Juan Molina made the proposal to change several articles of the State’s Electoral Law.
The bill would mandate the installation of warning signs at polling sites that refrain voters from using their gadgets.
Polling site presidents would ask voters if they carry any item like this and in case of affirmative answer he would ask to turn it off and leave it in a desk.
“It has been proven during elections nationwide that the possibility of taking pictures of marked ballots has allowed the purchase of voter willingness in exchange of money, items or favors,” Molina said.
The issue, he added, is a violation of electoral law, but the situation has been ongoing for years.
The bill also includes a provision to open poll sites at 7 a.m.
The measure was turned to the Legislative State Reform Commission.
Children, senior attack penalty bill introduced
A state lawmaker introduced a bill that seeks to increase penalties to those who attack minors and senior citizens.
Assemblywoman Mónica Bedoya, a National Action Party member of Mexicali, introduced the proposal that would reform the state’s Penal Code.
The measure includes provisions to set prison penalties of between two and five years to those who assault an adult of over 60 years of age. The penalties jumped to between five and eight years in jail if injuries are caused to people of less than 12 years of age or older than 70.
The bill includes also fines for up to $1,966.29.
However, if the victim needs physical or mental treatment, violators would have to pay an additional fine of between $1178.77 and $11,797.75.
“Our priority is minor and senior protection,” she said. “The first ones as they are our future and the second ones because they are our past, without forgetting handicapped people.”
Bedoya said this anti-social behavior is very serious as it damages victims physically and mentally.
“Although the efforts made as society to inhibit it, it has not been enough,” she added. “There is no respect for children, teenagers and senior citizens’ dignity and integrity as they are still threatened by the increasingly tendency to execute this type of conduct.”
The bill was turned to the Legislative Justice Commission.
High school education guaranteed
A state official said every student who desires to pursue high school education will be able to do so.
State Secretary of Education Mario Herrera said the list of students and the school they are about to attend will be published Sunday.
Students will be able to register at the agency’s website or at the school they registered at beginning 8 a.m. on July 3.
In case the student was not admitted at the school they applied for they will have the choice to have their cases reviewed by authorities.
The state offers several options like online schooling and remote schooling.
Students can also apply for a scholarship to attend private school in case no other school is available.
The state hopes to benefit 12,600 students this year under this program, Herrera said.
Last year, the state spent 45.3 million pesos or $2.5 million in the private school program.
In 2015, the state gave 2,510 scholarships for students who attended private school.
The state will open special offices to assist individuals July 4-29. In Mexicali the office will open at Colonia Industrial neighborhood.
