Opposition in the Paraguayan Senate proposes eliminating voting machines
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Loading... - Bertha Koch
- 21 Aug 2024
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The opposition in the Paraguayan Senate, represented by parties such as the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), the Guasú Front, and the National Crusade, has formally proposed a significant change to the country's electoral system. They are advocating for a return to paper ballots, which would reduce the use of electronic voting machines. Their proposal suggests a mixed method for electing plurinominal candidates, such as councillors and legislators, while reintroducing blocked lists for uninominal positions, including the presidency.
This proposal is part of a broader discussion on electoral reform, which is currently under review by the Superior Electoral Court (TSJE). The TSJE's reform initiative seeks to amend around 200 articles of existing electoral laws, including controversial measures like allowing voting for prisoners without a conviction and implementing a system for transmitting preliminary results, known as TREP. The opposition, however, is critical of these measures, particularly because they believe the TSJE tends to favor the ruling Colorado Party.
The opposition's push for reform is based on a perceived lack of trust in electronic voting machines, which they argue undermines confidence in the electoral process and discourages voter participation. Liberal Senator Éver Villalba emphasized that there is significant public skepticism towards these machines, which he believes could have "serious consequences for democracy."
Despite the opposition's efforts, the Colorado Party, which holds a majority in both legislative chambers, supports the TSJE's reform proposal and opposes any rollback on the use of electronic voting machines or the blocking of candidate lists. The issue has become a focal point in the broader debate on how Paraguay's elections should be conducted in the future.
