INE data used to locate 77,140 people

The National Electoral Institute (INE) announced that as of March, it had helped locate 77,140 missing persons by verifying the fingerprints or biometric data citizens provide when obtaining their voter ID.

In presenting the report on the results and status of the agreements signed for the identification of individuals through biometrics and collaboration for the location of missing persons, the INE also reported that between 2016 and March 2025, it has signed 34 specific agreements with state prosecutors' offices and local search commissions.

The above is intended to establish coordination and collaboration mechanisms with other authorities to compare and validate biometric information such as photos and fingerprints, which are essential for identifying and eventually locating individuals.

Thus, Councilor Arturo Castillo, president of the Federal Voter Registration Commission, explained that as of March 31, 2025, 88,405 applications had been received, of which 29,807 had received responses with at least one entry in the Registry for identification purposes; that is, 33.71% of the applications.

In total, to date, the identities of 77,140 people reported missing have been confirmed through reports.

"The efforts to cooperate in locating missing persons are carried out using general information such as first name, last name, date of birth, place of birth, and CURP (National Identity Document) provided by the institutions participating in these agreements. This data facilitates the search for individuals in forensic databases or for unidentified individuals who are, for example, in a hospital, health center, or assistance center," he explained.

Meanwhile, Councilor Carla Humphrey emphasized that last January they were informed that the National Commission for the Search for Persons reported, as of December 31, 2024, nearly 106,957 missing and unaccounted for persons.

While as of March 31, another 5,636 people were added, meaning 112,570 missing and unaccounted for individuals remain in this situation.

"In three months, the number increased by 5.24 percent. As of March 31, 2025, the Electoral Registry has 101.53 million registrations," he said.