The Superior Tribunal of Electoral Justice (TSJE) conducted a new simulation of the Preliminary Electoral Results Transmission System (TREP) on August 28, with operations at polling locations across the country and monitoring from the Electoral Information and Monitoring Center (CIME) in Asunción. The activity comes ahead of the municipal elections scheduled for October 4, 2026.
The exercise simulated the transmission of result certificates produced by polling-station boards after the count. Laptops, scanners, modems and different telephone lines were evaluated, focusing on connection quality and the early identification of failures that could affect data transmission on voting day.
Dominick Ramírez, deputy director of the Directorate of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), said the test sought to verify transmission from 100% of the authorized polling locations covered by the nationwide operation. That figure does not establish, however, that Villarrica’s 19 locations were part of exactly the same nationwide transmission: in Villarrica, the Electoral Justice also conducted a simultaneous local simulation covering every polling point in the city.
In the city, the exercise covered all 19 polling locations, including Tororo, in the district’s rural area. It was the third test held in the municipality, according to Angélica Zárate, head of the local Electoral Registry. The two previous stages took place at electoral offices; this time, the equipment was taken directly to the locations where the polling boards will operate.
The nationwide operation involved 104 operators, 25 supervisors and support teams at CIME. Another 1,196 operators from the Scanning and Transmission Center (CTX) were assigned to designated polling locations to scan and transmit the certificates.
Minister César Emilio Rossel monitored the activity. The simulation schedule began on August 1. La Nación and Hoy identified August 29 as the date of the final round before the elections, while the schedule described by the Electoral Justice in Villarrica provided for system tests through August 30; there is therefore a one-day difference between the references concerning the end of the schedule.
In the election, TREP is expected to provide a rapid, preliminary indication of the results after the polling stations close. The certificates will be prepared and signed by polling officials after the count and sent for transmission through the system. The data will not replace the final adjudication of the returns or the official tabulation.
On October 4, voters will choose mayors and members of Municipal Councils for the 2026–2031 term. TREP’s speed will also depend on completion of the count and the polling boards’ correct use of the equipment.