General Elections

April 20th

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Description of Electoral System

(Courtesy by Paraguayan Constitution and Paraguayan Electoral Code)

In Paraguay, the system to elect the President is the one of absolute majority. It means, is elect the one that obtains a vote at least more than the other candidates. In Paraguay the model of the second electoral round doesn’t exist, a candidate could be electing like President without counting with an ample majority.

The electoral system to assign Senators is different from the President. A system of unique district with closed and proportional list is used. The positions are assigned proportionally using the D´Hondt method. For the other hand, the electoral system to elect the deputies is equal to the one of senators, unless each department and the city of Asuncion constitutes separated electoral districts that elect each one to a certain amount of deputies that establishes the Superior Court of Electoral Justice according to the amount of inhabitants of each electoral district. The allocation of the elect candidates to be delegated is a proportional system, of closed list and departmental districts.

Also elects Governors and Department Assemblies. The form of election of the Governors is by means of the simple majority system, that is to say, just as the one of President but in each department. For the Departmental Assemblies they used the same system used for senators and deputies.

In addition, the most important organism for the administration of elections and a electoral justice institution is the Superior Court of Electoral Justice. Is the organism than exerts the electoral function, which is in charge of all the process of elections, having interlaced functions as they are like the Co-direction of the Civil Registry of People. It designates to the other authorities that follow in hierarchy for the organization and decisions with respect to the election.

Electoral Systems Snapshot

(Courtesy of International IDEA)

*Click on links for definitions

Upcoming Elections

(Courtesy by Superior Court of Electoral Justice of Paraguay)

The General Elections are programmed for the year 2008 in Paraguay. The anticipated Electoral Calendar begins in the 2007 with the internal elections of the diverse political parties that will act in the general elections.

It is important to indicate that Paraguay has been counting on a system of party led by the Colored Party in the power for 60 years. For these elections, two tendencies are promoted, the stability and re-election of present President Nicanor Duarte of the Colored Party, or the imposition of a new tendency and therefore a new political party in the power.

Next, we present the most important activities to realize in the electoral chronogram of Paraguay for the rest of the year, and the next year (election’s year):

September 2007

 24^Th Recognition of the Political Movements by the Superior Court Of Electoral    Justice (SCEJ)

November 2007

15^Th Recognition of the Electoral Alliances by the SCEJ.

February 2008

 19^Th  The Integration of the Civic Assemblies.

March 2008

21Th  The official delivery of the Electoral Register. It will make the Main directorate of the Electoral Registry of Judges Electoral for his delivery of the Presidents of the Civic Meetings.

April 2008

20^Th Day of Election

May 2008

23Th Proclamation of the elected candidates