Mexicans will vote this Sunday (April 10) in a divisive national referendum sponsored by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on whether he should resign or complete his six-year term.

While reminiscent elections in other countries are likely to be started by political opponents, the Mexican vote is the fault of Lopez Obrador, who has almost 60 percent of the consent.

The 68-year-old president, who was elected in 2018, and other supporters of the referendum - the first of its kind in Mexico - say it is a way to increase democratic accountability.

"Now we have a chance to change what is wrong. There are presidents who, after being elected by the people, ultimately serve other interests," Benigno Gasca, a 57-year-old mathematician and musician, told AFP. However, critics see this as an expensive propaganda exercise and an unnecessary distraction from many of the country's challenges, including drug-related violence, poverty and rising living costs. 

"It's a useless exercise - money is wasted," said Laura Gonzalez, a retired 62-year-old teacher.

Experts say that turnout is likely to be well below the 40 percent threshold required for a vote to be legally binding.

Opposition parties are urging Mexicans to abstain in a so-called "populist exercise."


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About 93 million voters will take part in the mid-term referendum, which was incorporated into the Mexican constitution in 2019 at the initiative of Lopez Obrador. Most of the signatures collected to create the mood were from his supporters.

Given the popularity of anti-corruption austerity lawyers, his presidency is "not a risk at all," according to political scientist Martha Anaya.

On the contrary, he said, the referendum could support its political agenda as well as controversial energy reforms.

The president is also watching the 2024 election and the prospects of his party and possible successors, including Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.

The Mexican constitution limits presidents to one term, and Lopez Obrador promised to retire in 2024 after opponents accused the referendum of being a step in an effort to stay in power. Lopez Obrador enjoyed an approval rating of 58 percent in March, although it was well below the 81 percent peak recorded in February 2019, according to a survey by Oraculus.

The president accused the National Electoral Institute of sabotaging the referendum in cooperation with his political opponents.

The body, which has failed to obtain a larger budget, will build about 57,500 polling stations, compared to 161,000 in the regular national elections.

Voting will begin at 1:00 PM GMT and end at 11:00 PM GMT in most countries, with the result expected to be announced late on Sunday.

Lopez Obrador has held a number of referendums on controversial issues since taking office, including his Maya Train project and the closure of a partially prepared airport in Mexico City. A public debate in August about prosecuting his supporters for alleged corruption has attracted only a small fraction of voters to the polls.