The government published in the Official Bulletin the definite dates for primary elections –which will be compulsory, open and simultaneous-, presidential elections and second ballot. These will take place 14th August, 23rd October and 20th November. During October’s commissions, apart from president and vice-president, Argentines will vote for the renovation of half of the House of Representatives while eight provinces will vote for senators.
Dates were set according to the Argentine law. However, according to decree 586, elections must be officially summoned by president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
Decree 586 also states the creation of the General Electoral Command, an organization that would custody commissions, and authorized the Defense Ministry to “appoint the General Electoral Commander”. The Commander would have to coordinate and enforce the Electoral Code, amongst other tasks such as the monitoring of polling stations, venues and infrastructure for data processing for counting votes, headquarters of the National Electoral Board of each district and the custody of the polls.
These tasks will be carried out by the Armed Forces and the Security Forces’ personnel. Officers would have to be available for the General Electoral Command “five days prior commissions” and remain in service until these conclude.
The decree was not only signed by the president, but also by Chief of Staff Aníbal Fernández and ministers Arturo Puricelli, Nilda Garré, Florencio Randazzo and Amado Boudou.
As for the ruling party’s candidates for the City of Buenos Aires, president Fernández de Kirchner will announce her final verdict this week. This will determine whether economy minister Amado Boudou, labour minister Carlos Tomada or senator Daniel Filmus will run for the gubernatorial elections in the city. Sources explained that the president’s decision is expected for Wednesday.
