Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, Jun 6 (EFE).– Mexican teachers on Saturday ended their occupation of two offices of the National Electoral Institute, or INE, and ceased their blockade of the fuel storage and distribution installations of state-owned oil company Petroleos Mexicanos in the southeastern city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, capital of Chiapas state.

However, less than 24 hours before voters head to the polls for Mexico’s mid-term elections, the militant CNTE teachers union called on students and their parents, labor unions and peasant and indigenous organizations to join educators in a march to the Chiapas state government palace for a political rally.

In a statement, the members of two CNTE sections said they have taken action amid the lack of a concrete response by the federal government to their demands, which include a salary hike, repeal of a sweeping 2013 education overhaul and the elimination of student fees at public schools.

On Friday, thousands of teachers in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas’ capital, trashed the state offices of nine political parties, burning furniture and campaign literature.

For now, thousands of teachers are maintaining their protest camp in the city’s main square despite opposition from store owners who say they will produce a report on financial losses stemming from the six-day occupation of the city’s historical center.

Though teachers have mounted large rallies in Mexico City, the mobilization has had its largest impact in the states of Michoacan, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Veracruz, which span southern Mexico from the Pacific to the Gulf.

At least 15 people were injured Friday when protesters led by contingents of teachers and students clashed with police in the southern state of Guerrero.

CNTE leaders said Thursday they remained committed to disrupting Sunday’s mid-term elections despite progress in talks with the government.

While the ongoing negotiations have led to tentative accords on some points, the teachers still view the electoral process as a farce and will continue efforts to undermine the vote, union executive Ruben Nuñez said.

More than 83 million Mexicans are eligible to cast ballots Sunday to choose 500 federal legislators, nine state governors and hundreds of regional and local officeholders.

The campaign, which officially ended on Wednesday, was marred by a score of killings, and a number of candidates withdrew after receiving death threats. EFE