OAS and Paraguay sign agreement to observe October municipal elections

The Organization of American States and Paraguay’s Superior Court of Electoral Justice have formalized an agreement to observe Paraguay’s municipal elections on Oct. 4, when more than five million voters are expected to participate.

The agreement was signed in Washington by OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin and TSJE member Jaime Bestard. Paraguay’s ambassador to the inter-American organization, Raúl Florentín, also signed the document. The accord provides for the deployment of an OAS Electoral Observation Mission.

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This electoral process takes place at a time when democracies around the world face significant challenges, such as polarization, disinformation and growing pressure on democratic institutions.

Ramdin said the election would take place as democracies worldwide face polarization, disinformation and growing pressure on democratic institutions. He emphasized the value of elections that are transparent, inclusive and well administered, saying they help strengthen public confidence and ensure respect for the will of voters.

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Transparent, inclusive and well-administered elections strengthen public confidence and ensure that the will of the people is fully respected.

Bestard described the agreement as another step in the TSJE’s productive relationship with the OAS. He said the organization’s presence would provide a guarantee. Ramdin appointed Nicolás Albertoni, Uruguay’s former deputy foreign minister, to head the mission. It will be the OAS’s 17th electoral observation mission in Paraguay.

During the visit, Bestard also took part in a meeting on implementing recommendations from the OAS mission that observed Paraguay’s 2023 general elections, won by current President Santiago Peña. The October vote will choose 263 mayors and municipal councils for the 2026-2031 period.

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Another step in the very fruitful relations