# Santiago del Estero municipal elections 2026

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/santiago-del-estero-municipal-elections-2026
> Updated: 2026-08-03T01:32:52.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026 Santiago del Estero Province held municipal elections in all 25 communes. The Frente Cívico por Santiago, led by Senator Gerardo Zamora, captured roughly 66 % of the vote province‑wide and won every mayoral contest in the 26 municipalities, including Mario Benavente’s 60.5 % in the capital and Llamil Abdala’s 51.6 % in La Banda. Turnout exceeded 70 % in most districts, with about 600 000 eligible voters casting ballots at more than 1 700 polling stations.

The opposition alliance La Libertad Avanza, aligned with President Javier Milei, obtained only about 8 % of the vote, secured three of the 194 council seats and was described by local media as “catastrophic.” Governor Elías Suárez, Vice‑governor Carlos Silva Neder and other provincial leaders praised the peaceful, well‑attended process, calling it a “first point of democracy” and linking it to expected improvements in local infrastructure and services. Zamora reiterated the message “Santiago no se vende, la patria no se entrega,” underscoring the governing coalition’s dominance and the perceived stability of the province’s democratic cycle.

## Claims

- Mario Benavente was elected mayor of Santiago del Estero capital with about 60.5% of the vote. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Voter turnout exceeded 70% in most municipalities, with about 600,000 eligible voters. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Frente Cívico won in all 26 municipalities (25 districts and 1 municipal commission). (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Governor Elías Suárez pledged to work with all mayors regardless of party affiliation. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Llamil Abdala was elected mayor of La Banda with about 51.6% of the vote. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- La Libertad Avanza placed second province‑wide with roughly 8% of the vote. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Frente Cívico por Santiago, led by Senator Gerardo Zamora, won 66% of the votes in the provincial municipal elections. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Yanina Iturre was re‑elected mayor of Fernández with 56.28% of the vote. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Vice Governor Carlos Silva Neder lauds peaceful municipal elections in Santiago del Estero

Vice Governor Carlos Silva Neder praised the high turnout and peaceful conduct of Santiago del Estero's municipal elections, emphasizing the key role of local governments.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vice-governor-carlos-silva-neder-lauds-peaceful-municipal-elections-in-santiago-del-estero

### 2026-08-01: Gerardo Zamora's Frente Cívico sweeps Santiago del Estero

Frente Cívico led by Gerardo Zamora won 66% of votes, capturing all 26 municipalities in Santiago del Estero’s 2 Aug 2026 elections; La Libertad Avanza fell to 8% and only three council seats.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/provincial-deputy-alejandra-lordn-praises-saladillos-growth-and-calls-for-aidriven-modernization

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Cite as: Santiago del Estero municipal elections 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/santiago-del-estero-municipal-elections-2026