The final report of the EU EOM Paraguay 2023 in Spanish:

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Press release

THE EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION – PARAGUAY 2023

PRESENTED TODAY ITS FINAL REPORT WITH 20 RECOMMENDATIONS

Asunción, 22 August 2023 - A representation of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), led by MEP and Chief Observer Mr. Gabriel Mato, presented this afternoon in Asunción the final report on the 30 April 2023 general and departmental elections, which contains a detailed analysis of the entire electoral process. In this report, the mission also offers 20 recommendations to improve future electoral processes, based on the international commitments signed by Paraguay.

In the framework of his return to Paraguay for the presentation of the final report, Gabriel Mato will meet with representatives of Paraguayan institutions, the Superior Tribunal of Electoral Justice, political groups and civil society to exchange views on the content of the final report and discuss possible ways to implement the recommendations.

“We return to Paraguay to present the final report of the Mission which, apart from an exhaustive analysis of the whole process, contains a series of recommendations aimed at improving and unifying electoral legislation and, at the same time, facilitating the conditions for an optimal electoral process as befits a state governed by the rule of law and a consolidated democracy such as Paraguay,” said Gabriel Mato.

Among the 20 recommendations, the EU EOM emphasises the following:

1. A comprehensive revision of the electoral legal framework should be undertaken to address the ambiguity and inconsistency of some legal provisions and to adapt the law to the new electoral system and the use of electoral technology.

2. Establish the independent institutional mechanism, as provided in the 2023 bill on the protection of journalists and human rights advocates to ensure the effective application of sanctions for attacks against journalists.

3. The election administration should consider the implementation of a broad and comprehensive voter education campaign, including the role of the election administration, political rights and the participation of citizens in addition to voting procedures.

4. Review the conditions for assisted voting to prohibit assistance from party agents and polling station staff and consider registering the cases of assisted voting in the polling stations records.

5. Consider the approval of a law on national election observation, containing rights and obligations of observers and promoting thereof their participation in the electoral process.

6. Develop an organised and permanent platform of civil society organisations conducting election observation. These organisations could develop a clear methodology for observation of the pre-electoral, election day and post-election period.

7. Review the system of complaints and appeals in order to provide an effective and timely remedy for aggrieved parties, including the type of action for judicial review/appeal.

8. To promote the equal participation of women in political and public life, it is important to give effect to the principle established by article 48 of the Constitution. This could include the adoption of specific provisions for the effective political participation of women.

9. Make institutional efforts for a more inclusive civil registration of indigenous people ensuring the protection of rights of indigenous persons and their participation in public life and political affairs of their country.

Chief Observer Gabriel Mato encouraged Paraguayan authorities and civil society to make use of the recommendations. On Thursday 24, the EU EOM will organise a workshop on the recommendations and their possible implementation with different stakeholders, such as Paraguayan authorities, representatives of political parties and civil society organisations.

The European Union deployed an Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Paraguay to observe the 2023 general and departmental elections following an invitation from the Paraguayan Government and the Superior Tribunal of Electoral Justice. The EU EOM was present in Paraguay from 13 March until 22 May. The Mission was led by Chief Observer, Gabriel Mato, Member of the European Parliament. The EU EOM deployed 124 observers from 26 EU Member States, Canada and Norway to all departments in the country.

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All statements of the mission and its final report can be found here:

www.moeueparaguay2023.eu  ǀ  Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @moeuepy23  ǀ  http://database.eueom.eu

For media enquiries, please contact:

Alessandro Gori, EU EOM Press officer,

Phone+595 (0)983 343 264 – email: alessandro.gori@moeueparaguay2023.eu

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This press release in Spanish:

This press release in English: