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OAS Mission in Paraguay, headed by Juan Pablo Corlazzoli, Carries out Electoral Observation Tasks ahead of Municipal Elections

  October 5, 2021

The Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the October 10 elections is already carrying out observation tasks within the framework of the elections in which mayors and members of municipal boards will be elected.

The Mission, which is made up of 18 specialists of 12 different nationalities, is headed by the Uruguayan Juan Pablo Corlazzoli. Corlazzoli has previously been Chief of the OAS Electoral Observation Missions for the 2018 legislative and municipal elections and the 2019 presidential elections in El Salvador, and the 2015 legislative and municipal elections in Guatemala, and has held various positions in United Nations agencies. He is a professor in sociology of development, analysis of social change and development policy formulation.

The Mission will analyze aspects such as electoral organization, the implementation of electronic voting, electoral justice, electoral political financing, the political participation of women, and the political participation of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. In addition, its specialists will follow up on the recommendations issued in past OAS missions. Although most of the members of the Mission will be present in the national territory, some will carry out their functions remotely.

During its stay in Paraguay, the Mission will hold meetings with electoral authorities, government officials, representatives of various political forces, and civil society actors to hear their perspectives. From these meetings, analysis of documentation and direct observation, the Mission will gain a comprehensive understanding of the process.

After the elections, the Mission will present a preliminary report with its observations and recommendations in order to contribute to the strengthening of electoral institutions and processes in Paraguay.

This is the 15th time that the OAS has observed an electoral process in Paraguay, and it is made possible thanks to the contributions of Korea, the United States, France, the Netherlands, and the Dominican Republic.

Reference: E-088/21