Mexico city is trying something it’s never done before, letting people have a voice in their new constitution — and it’s all being done online in an experiment of digital democracy.
CCTV America’s Martin Markovits reports from Mexico City.
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Citizens of Mexico City are now voting online on ideas and proposals they want in their new constitution, after President Enrique Pena Nieto approved legislation making the once federal district of Mexico City into its own sovereign city.
Now more than 8 million people have more say in their city than ever before in helping to draft its constitution.
The online feedback was the brainchild Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera who launched it online after creating a petition on the website change.org.
Groups whose ideas garner more than 10,000 digital signatures will be allowed to present their proposals before team of experts who will have a final document ready in a few months.
So far, the most popular proposals have been creating more public space, protecting gay rights, banning zoos, and lowering the salaries of public officials.
“I think what the people are voting on a series of expectations for the future, we don’t know yet if these experts will seriously discuss them, but if they don’t, they are going to face enormous [pressure]from the people for it to become part of the constitution,” Mexico Director of Change.org Alberto Herrera said.
Popular disk jockey Rulo David was one of 27 experts appointed by the mayor to consider these issues. His is interested in gay rights and constitutional protections for an independent media.
“This is a very progressive city. The idea, I believe is that the document will reflect the character of this city and will give a voice and protection to its people,” David said.
Herrera said officials at the mayor’s office said the initiative has far exceeded expectations. Since it was launched two weeks ago, 250 proposals have been submitted, representing more than 25,000 signatures.