A/HRC/39/17/Add.2 51. It should be noted that some proposals made by indigenous peoples regarding the development of their autonomy and self-government have been approved by federal and state authorities, although this remains the exception to the rule. The Federal Electoral Court recognized the right of the Purépecha community in Cherán, Michoacán, to elect its authorities during municipal elections in accordance with its own customs and practices. 11 Indigenous communities in the municipality of Ayutla de los Libres in Guerrero brought legal proceedings in order to achieve the same thing. In that municipality, the Federal Electoral Court approved the consultation process that had taken place and authorized the election of local authorities in accordance with indigenous customs and practices during the 2018 local elections. 12 In Amilcingo, Morelos, a municipal assistant was elected in accordance with indigenous customs and practices. 52. Indigenous organizations have set up various initiatives to address the lack of security and protection. Since 1995, the community police force in Guerrero has carried out security, justice and reintegration activities in accordance with indigenous customs and practices, which has helped to reduce violence and impunity. The community police force was legally recognized by the state authorities in 2011, although it seems that legislative proposals seeking to invalidate indigenous regulatory systems are currently pending. However, numerous cases of criminal prosecution and accusations of community police officers on various charges have been reported. 53. There are other indigenous initiatives in Chiapas, such as the Movimiento en Defensa de la Vida y el Territorio (Movement in Defence of Life and Territory), a group of indigenous persons from 11 municipalities in Chiapas that promotes indigenous selfgovernment in the interests of territorial defence. The Special Rapporteur also received information about action being taken in autonomous municipalities and the good governance boards of the areas known as caracoles; these boards, which are linked to the Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (Zapatista National Liberation Army), focus on productive, education, health and justice programmes for member communities, without relying on governmental support, and have helped to reduce criminal activity in these communities. 54. Advances have been made with regard to political participation; for example, it is now possible to register as an independent candidate and steps have been taken to facilitate registration procedures for federal, state and municipal elections. There are also initiatives designed to promote access to justice in the political and electoral sphere, such as the Protocol for Defenders of the Political and Electoral Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Communities and the Electoral Public Defender Service for Indigenous Peoples and Communities. However, there are still reports of undue pressure being put on indigenous persons in order to influence their vote during elections. 55. There are 28 indigenous electoral districts at the federal level and 56 at the local level, made up of municipalities where indigenous persons account for at least 40 per cent of the population; these electoral districts will be used for the 2018 elections. Under new regulations, political parties and coalitions are required to nominate indigenous candidates in at least 12 of the 28 indigenous electoral districts at the federal level, with due regard for the principle of gender parity. 56. Indigenous peoples have set up independent representative bodies at the national level, in order to increase their political participation and raise awareness of their rights. The Concejo Indígena de Gobierno (Indigenous Government Council), for example, is made up of representatives of various indigenous peoples. This national representative body nominated its spokeswoman as an independent candidate for the 2018 presidential elections. 11 12 10 SUP-JDC-9167/2011. SUP-REC-193/2016. GE.18-10617