Electoral Tribunal presents reform package for Panama’s 2029 elections

Panama’s Electoral Tribunal has placed a broad package of electoral changes before the National Assembly, beginning the legislative process for rules that could govern the country’s 2029 elections.

Magistrate Narciso Arellano presented the proposal from the Assembly’s plenary after several months of analysis and discussion by the National Commission on Electoral Reform. He said the package aims to strengthen political parties, improve conditions for independent candidates and correct distortions in the allocation of legislative seats.

A central part of the proposal concerns the electoral districts used to elect members of the National Assembly. The changes would affect districts in Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Panamá and Panamá Oeste. Some two-member districts could become single-member districts, altering how deputies are elected and how representation is distributed in those areas.

The package also calls for stronger transparency and oversight of political financing. It would update electoral legislation to address new risks linked to technology and artificial intelligence in electoral processes. Arellano said clear rules, established in advance and applied impartially, are necessary to maintain public confidence in the system.

The Electoral Tribunal said it consulted the National Council of Political Parties before submitting the proposal, citing Article 147 of Panama’s Constitution and the tribunal’s legal powers. Lawmakers will now assess the changes and determine the final content of reforms that could shape the 2029 vote.