The former governor of Nayarit faces accusations of misuse and diversion of public funds, violating fairness and impartiality in an election and violating the state constitution.

If found guilty, Roberto Sandoval Castañeda could be deemed unfit to hold public office in the state for close to 13 years.

Accusations against the former governor arose after the 2017 gubernatorial election, when a group of citizens found that funds from the state food security program were being offered in exchange for votes for Manuel Cota Jiménez, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) candidate.

Cota lost to the National Action Party candidate, current governor Antonio Echevarría García.

A formal complaint against Sandoval was filed before Congress in October and a hearing followed, culminating in a majority vote.

Sandoval will have the opportunity to present a defense before a special commission, which will determine whether the proposed sanctions should be imposed.

The state Congress will then vote a second time to approve or reject the decision.

The process represents a political judgement against the former governor rather than a criminal one.

Source: El Universal (sp)