Page 298 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 2

STS496 Mario P.R.
integrating the national statistical and geographic system. It is based on the
principles of access to information, transparency, impartiality and
independence, which are set as the foundation of the whole operation of the
SNIEG and as fundamental attributes of INEGI’s work. By recognising these
values in the law and regulating according to them, Mexico honours the
implementation of the FPOS, and in particular of the principles of
professionalism and independence.
Second, the law determines that a Board of Governors -composed of five
members: one president and four vice-presidents- will direct the work of
INEGI. The appointment of these high officials is only after agreement of both
the legislative and executive powers. They are proposed by the President of
the country and ratified by the Senate; and must fulfil a series of academic and
professional experience requirements. The tenure of the Board of Governors’
President is 6 years, while the one of the vice-presidents is 8 years. All of them
can be renewed in their job for a maximum of two periods, and their renewal
is set to be staggered to guarantee continuity in the working of the Institute
and to avoid all (or most) members to change during one presidential
administration. The Board of Governors decides by majority the causes for
dismissal of any of its members. With these provisions the law restricts the
possibility of the government unilaterally attempting to appoint or replace
Board members.
Third, it is instituted in the law that all data produced by the SNIEG is
considered as official information. Moreover, INEGI’s Board of Governors has
the faculty of determining what information should be regarded as
information of national interest, based on a series of criteria covering their
relevance for the design and evaluation of public polices, methodological
soundness and quality, timeliness and periodicity, etc. The attribute of national
interest implies the obligatory publication of this information and its use is
also mandatory for all (federal, state and municipal) authorities. For this
reason, each year INEGI must make public in advance its Publications Calendar,
which sets the publishing dates of the information of national interest. These
dates are not subject to change, hence giving certainty to users and the public
that the information will be provided and shielding INEGI of potential political
pressure not to publish it or delay their publication due to political concerns.
Finally, the law also establishes that the Federal Government Budget
should include enough funds (resources) for INEGI to conduct National
Censuses, integrate the System of National Accounts and produce National
Price Indexes, as these are considered by law information of national interest.
This arguably applies to all information judged of national interest to produce
by the Board of Governors. Although it does not shield the Institute of

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