Chaos at Cancun Polling Stations – Voters Wait in Scandalous 6-Hour Lines

The organization of special polling stations at the Municipal Palace of Benito Juárez in Cancun has come under fire. Voters complained about the long waiting times, with some reportedly waiting up to six hours to cast their vote. The primary concerns were raised by out-of-town vacationers and older adults, who were particularly affected by the poor organization.

The polling stations, known as modules S1 and S2 of section 137, were prepared with 2,060 ballots for electing the President of the Republic and members of the Union Congress. However, the day began with a 40-minute delay, causing immediate frustration among voters. The voting process was slow, with priority being given to adults over the elderly. This was despite the first person in line being a 74-year-old man, who arrived at 3 a.m. and didn't leave until nearly nine.

The situation was further complicated by confusing announcements about the premature end of ballots, which caused discomfort and criticism from a significant number of visitors. The poor organization was also evident in the treatment of the elderly and those with health issues. Many of these individuals, who were slowly walking with canes, wheelchairs, walkers or supported by a family member, were kept standing, sometimes in the sun, and were directed through an entry with stairs.

One elderly woman even displayed symptoms of sunstroke and required the assistance of Red Cross paramedics. Despite this, the vulnerable group was not prioritized. The process was so slow that by 3:00 p.m., three hours before the voting was supposed to end, only 480 votes had been counted, not even a quarter of the total.

Lines reached almost a kilometer, extending from the building's door, around the perimeter of the Plaza de la Reforma esplanade to Tulum Avenue, through landscaped areas and up to Nader Avenue. While most voters waited patiently to cast their votes, others were unsuccessful and voiced their complaints at the main entrance. Some even chose to give up and leave due to the poor organization.