Voting closes for municipal primaries amid reports of low participation

Voting stations across Paraguay closed their gates to new voters at 4:00 PM on Sunday, marking the end of the 2026 internal party elections. While most locations concluded at this time, some areas, including Quyquyhó, extended voting until 5:00 PM. The Superior Electoral Justice Tribunal (TSJE) is preparing to release the first preliminary results from the TREP system shortly after the polls close.

Officials from the TSJE have indicated a generally low turnout for these elections. The primary purpose of these internal contests is for political parties to select their official candidates for mayor and council positions ahead of the general municipal elections scheduled for October. Additionally, parties are using this opportunity to renew their internal leadership.

Despite the low participation, there is anticipation for the initial results. The TREP system is fully operational and designed for rapid data processing. The TSJE expects to begin publishing preliminary figures around 4:30 PM, offering an early glimpse into the outcomes of the internal party selections.