Topic: Promoting Peaceful Post-Election Transitions
Country: Paraguay
Delegate Name: Adam Berman
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Paraguay position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Elections: arguably the most important and easily the most exciting part of the electoral process. Tragically, elections which are supposed to be democratic and fair, in some cases are bitterly disputed and controversial. A sound process toward counting, tallying and declaring a winner is of the uttermost vitality in an election. Even in some of the most economically powerful nations in the world have faced controversy in declaring a winner, for example the United States presidential election in 2000. Paraguay believes that a sound electoral process is vital toward producing a clear and definitive winner, thus preventing violence, as what was evident in the controversy in Kenya. Through an unstable government system, the possibility of an unfair election may easily result. In some cases that occurrence leads to violence and political upheaval within that country, costing many lives and much dispute.
Some of the key issues discussed in committee should include the process of collecting, counting, and tallying votes; and, if necessary, preventing possible violent attacks and turmoil following an election. Paraguay, living under military dictatorship until 1989, understands the harsh consequences of an invalid leader, and believes in spreading democracy throughout all the countries of the world. Recently electing a new head of government in April of 2008, Paraguay has seen the rise and fall of political parties and understands the difficult precautions necessary to promote a peaceful shift in leadership. Paraguay believes that in a disputed election, the UN should intervene as a non-biased organization in hope to count all of votes and safely determine the true leader of that country, thus reducing all of the controversy and violence following an election.
Countries that would agree with Paraguay’s beliefs should include all countries ruled by a democratic government, whose leader is elected by the people, and those countries who believe in a safe and nonviolent resolution to the controversy following most elections. Those countries should be concerned with the process of collecting votes, and the election of a leader interested in promoting peace and well being to all people in the concerning nation. It is vital that safe and accurate elections take place throughout the world in order to ensure a political leader that most accurately represents the people of that country.
Paraguay, like many other countries throughout the world, has made significant progress towards a peaceful and safe post-election process. With help from the OAS (Organization of American States), Paraguay has had help in monitoring the recent election in April of 2008. We believe that all countries should have a specific term limit set for their political leader as well as a safe process towards tallying votes. With that, any country can have non-violent and productive election.
