Multimedia > Galleries

Paraguay Elections Covered by 'Dark Cloud of Distrust'

On Sunday Paraguay’s electoral body announced Colorado Party’s Mario Abdo Benitez defeated the Ganar Coalition’s candidate Efrain Alegre with 3.7 percent points. A much narrower margin than what was projected by polls leading up to the vote, which gave Benitez a 20-point lead.

According to several opposition groups, including the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, led by Alegre, and the Guasu Front led by former President Fernando Lugo, there were multiple irregularities in the tally sheets during the election.

After Alegre confirmed they had “clear evidence of fraud,” Lugo warned of a “dark cloud of distrust on this electoral process” and vowed to take the case of electoral fraud to international bodies.

galeria7
Opposition parties and social movements began gathering outside the electoral justice building in Asuncion to demand transparency in the vote count on Monday.
Opposition parties and social movements began gathering outside the electoral justice building in Asuncion to demand transparency in the vote count on Monday. Photo:Reuters
"Popular will is not to be violated! It is respected." Photo:Reuters
Women supporters of the Ganar Coalition, which includes Alegre's Liberal Party, and Lugo's Guasu Front.
Women supporters of the Ganar Coalition, which includes Alegre's Liberal Party, and Lugo's Guasu Front. Photo:EFE
Electoral tribunal president, Jaime Bestard, told the press no formal complaint had been submitted relating to the election result.
Electoral tribunal president, Jaime Bestard, told the press no formal complaint had been submitted relating to the election result. Photo:Reuters
Opposition groups say they have ample evidence of irregularities in the voting tally sheets.
Opposition groups say they have ample evidence of irregularities in the voting tally sheets. Photo:Reuters
Lugo warned of a “dark cloud of distrust on this electoral process” and vowed to take the case to international bodies.
Lugo warned of a “dark cloud of distrust on this electoral process” and vowed to take the case to international bodies. Photo:EFE
Official results won't be known until May 31. Protesters have vowed to maintain a vigil until then.
Official results won't be known until May 31. Protesters have vowed to maintain a vigil until then. Photo:EFE
Published 25 April 2018
Galleries galerias telesur
Comment
0
Comments
Post with no comments.