Paraguay holding presidential election

PanARMENIAN.Net - Voters in Paraguay go to the polls on Sunday, April 21 in a presidential election seen as key to restoring the country's democratic credentials, BBC News reported.

Horacio Cartes, of the conservative Colorado Party, and the centre-right Liberal Party's Efrain Alegre are seen as front-runners among 10 candidates.

The country's standing dipped in the region after last year's disputed impeachment of President Fernando Lugo.

The South American blocs UNASUR and MERCOSUR both suspended Paraguay. They cited a "rupture in the democratic order".

The impeachment followed a land eviction at a farm last June that led to the deaths of 11 farmers and six police officers. The incident sparked a nationwide outcry and the opposition declared President Lugo responsible.

Lugo, a left-wing former Roman Catholic bishop, was impeached and replaced by Vice-President Federico Franco of the Liberal Party in less than 48 hours.

When a near unanimous vote blamed the president's handling of the crisis for the deaths, neighboring countries recalled their diplomats citing a "congressional coup".

Polls will be open from 07:00 local time (11:00 GMT) until 16:00. Preliminary results are expected five hours after voting ends.

The country will choose a new president and vice-president, 45 senators, 80 members of the lower house and 17 state governors.

The poll will be closely monitored by international organizations.