Paraguay and Peru prepare for municipal elections amid security and fraud concerns

municipal elections electoral security voting restrictions polling station logistics electoral fraud allegations

Paraguay and Peru are preparing for regional and municipal elections scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2026.

In Paraguay, approximately 37,611 police officers have been deployed to ensure security across 263 districts. Authorities have implemented several restrictions, including a ban on alcohol sales starting Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and prohibitions on gatherings or weapon possession within 200 meters of polling stations. While logistics are largely in place, allegations of fraud have emerged in Luque, where candidates claim certain party members are improperly acting as poll workers to influence results. Additionally, in the San Pedro department, over 300,000 voters are expected to participate.

In Peru, the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) has enabled digital platforms for voters to consult their polling locations and has completed the distribution of materials in Lima and Callao. The elections face scrutiny regarding potential 'disguised re-elections' by certain mayors and reports of threats against candidates in various regions. In the Ica region, the Defensoría del Pueblo reported a case where a mayoral candidate was identified as a polling station president. In Huánuco, over 662,000 voters are prepared to elect 564 new authorities.

Entities

Alonso Navarro Cabanillas · Contraloría General de la República · Defensoría del Pueblo · Fuerzas Armadas del Perú · Ica · Jurado Nacional de Elecciones · Lima · Miguel Ángel Elías Ávalos · Ministério Público · National Jury of Elections · National Office of Electoral Processes · National Police of Paraguay

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The TSJE aims for voter participation to exceed 70% in the municipal elections.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Paraguayan citizens of legal age who have completed registration are eligible to vote.
[● 2 SOURCES] Youth turning 18 by October 3, 2026, are automatically included in the Electoral Roll.
[DISPUTED] The National Police will deploy 38,000 agents for security during the October 4 elections.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Foreign residents with permanent residency and registration in the RCP are eligible to vote in municipal elections.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The electoral roll contains approximately 5.4 million people.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The TSJE released eligibility criteria for the Municipal Elections scheduled for Sunday, October 4.
[DISPUTED] Voting stations will be open from 7:00 to 17:00 on election day. radioestacion.com.py
[● 2 SOURCES] Senator Éver Villalba reported that Lista 1 operators attempted to remove opposition representatives from polling stations in Guairá. paraguayoindependiente.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Núñez dismissed claims of a mass exodus of officials from the Honor Colorado movement. 1000noticias.com.py
[● 2 SOURCES] Nine Colorado candidates in Luque alleged electoral fraud involving the control of polling stations by Cruzada Nacional members. www.elheraldopy.com · paraguayoindependiente.com
[● 4 SOURCES] President Santiago Peña called on citizens to vote in the upcoming municipal elections.