A 49-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday at Escuela Básica N° 41 "Padre Fidel Maíz," in the Centro neighborhood of Arroyos y Esteros, during the simultaneous primary elections, after being caught carrying seven identity documents that did not belong to her. The detainee was identified as Josefina Sosa Mora, a resident of Compañía Mainumby.
The case was triggered by a report from the electoral delegate and general coordinator of the polling station, Marcelino Ferreira, who called in the police team. Officers found that the woman was carrying the seven identity documents and was unable to justify their possession to the authorities, leading to her immediate arrest on suspicion of vote buying.
Prosecutor Fabiola Sosa, from Criminal Unit No. 1 of Emboscada, ordered the seizure of the suspect and the confiscation of the documents and cell phones found in her possession, items that were secured as evidence for the investigation. Following her arrest, Josefina Sosa Mora was taken to the Centro de Salud de Arroyos y Esteros for a medical evaluation after suffering a health episode, and was subsequently placed in police custody.
The investigation seeks to determine whether there are political operators behind a possible vote-buying network. The Public Prosecutor's Office intends to establish the exact circumstances of the incident through data cross-referencing and by taking statements from the holders of the seized identity documents.
The case exposed flaws in the control mechanisms implemented at polling stations, since possessing other people's identity documents may constitute a serious irregularity capable of undermining transparency and public trust in the electoral process.
During election day, the Public Prosecutor's Office recorded various complaints and incidents at different locations across the country, including cases of alleged use of third-party documents to vote, irregular assisted voting, and other occurrences at polling stations. In Fernando de la Mora, one person was arrested during a prosecutor-led intervention; in Villa Hayes, a citizen was apprehended carrying multiple identity cards; and in Luque, prosecutor Sophía Galeano ordered the removal of a wheelchair that was allegedly being used to facilitate irregular access to the voting booth.
Prosecutor Sandra Ledesma, coordinator of the agents assigned to cover the elections, reported that the Public Prosecutor's Office is maintaining ongoing monitoring of the electoral process in coordination with the National Police and urged the public to report any incident that could compromise the transparency of the process.