In response to allegations of electoral fraud in the northwestern province of Tucumán on Sunday, August 24, the presidential candidates representing Argentina’s opposition have proposed the country resume using electronic ballots in future elections. Argentineans have successfully used electronic ballots twice this year during the mayoral election in Buenos Aires in July. Opposition leaders made the call for changes in the voting system on Thursday, August 27, following accusations of fraud in the election for governor in Tucumán, which was marred by violent clashes between protesters and police and the burning of ballot boxes. “In light of the recent irregularities registered in local and national elections, this change is urgent, and aims to provide real transparency and efficiency to the most important act of all modern democracies: the elections,” said the Radical Civic Union (UCR) in a press release.
National Electoral Director Alejandro Tullio told local newspaper La Nación that making a change to the electoral system during an election year would be a “huge irregularity.”
Cabinet Chief Aníbal Fernández, who is currently running for governor of Buenos Aires, said he was unaware of the allegations of fraud in Tucumán and is opposed to making any changes to the voting system so close to the election.
“Do you know any place where the voting system was changed only 50 days ahead of an election?” he questioned. “This is one of the many lies [the opposition tells] to appear as if they are serious and concerned; they lose the election, and then they do this pantomime.”
Full Article: Argentina’s Opposition Candidates Unite in Call for Electronic Voting.
