Congresswoman Yarrow proposes a law to ensure transparency in political candidacies.

Congresswoman Norma Yarrow, representing Renovación Popular, has presented a bill aimed at reforming the conditions under which candidates for elected office can run. Her initiative is based on the need to ensure suitability and transparency in electoral processes by prohibiting the candidacy of individuals with first-instance criminal convictions. The proposal establishes that any criminal conviction, whether involving effective or suspended imprisonment, affecting the founders, executives, and other members of political organizations, would prevent their registration in elections. According to Yarrow, this measure is crucial to ensure that political parties present individuals who are not only competent but also ethically responsible and without criminal records. Additionally, Yarrow has detailed that parties must submit a "negative certificate of criminal, police, and judicial records" at the time of formalizing their registration or when conducting primary elections. This requirement aims to create a filter that helps weed out those who do not meet the minimum standards of conduct required for public service. In the founding document of each political organization, a declaration must be included certifying that none of its leaders have first-instance convictions. Furthermore, these statutes must clearly specify the disqualifications for their members to hold leadership or representative positions within the party. Failure to comply with these regulations would not only affect the registration of the parties but could also lead to its cancellation, as well as the candidacies of those applicants who do not meet these provisions. Yarrow emphasizes that this is a necessary tool to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the country. "Our proposal addresses this deficiency in political representation within its own democratic system," explained the legislator, who believes that transparency in candidate selection is fundamental to restoring public trust in its institutions. The absence of judicial records among candidates, according to Yarrow, would contribute to a representation that more faithfully reflects social demands. The congresswoman has also pointed out that the investigations and judicial convictions affecting current politicians weaken representation and perpetuate public dissatisfaction. This includes a call for reflection on how corruption scandals have eroded public faith in parties and their representatives. The bill proposes amendments to several articles of Law No. 28094, known as the Law of Political Organizations. This legislative change not only seeks to establish a more rigorous regulatory framework but also aims to foster a healthier political environment where citizens can choose their representatives without fear of them having backgrounds that question their integrity. The debate over this initiative will not only focus on the legality of the proposed requirements but also on how this will affect the dynamics of political parties and the possibility of excluding individuals with controversial backgrounds from the electoral process. Yarrow's proposal has generated diverse reactions among her colleagues, who acknowledge the need for changes in the system but also raise questions about the feasibility of implementing such restrictions in an already complex political environment. With the advancement of this proposal, Peru's electoral future could face a significant change in the way political leaders are chosen, marking a step toward greater demands for integrity and responsibility in public service. The upcoming discussion in Congress will be key to determining whether these measures will be effectively implemented and how they will impact national politics in the long term.