---
title: "Assembly Begins Interviews for Electoral Tribunal Candidates Amid Transparency Criticism"
date: 2026-04-14
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/electoral-tribunal-candidate-interviews-panama/
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Politics"
tags:
  - "Electoral Tribunal"
  - "magistrate interviews"
  - "National Assembly"
  - "Panama elections"
  - "transparency"
---

# Assembly Begins Interviews for Electoral Tribunal Candidates Amid Transparency Criticism

## What Happened

The National Assembly began interviews on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, for candidates seeking to become magistrate and alternate magistrate of Panama’s Electoral Tribunal. The sessions started at 10:00 a.m. in the Carlos “Titi” Alvarado Auditorium, under the oversight of the Assembly’s Credentials, Rules, Parliamentary Ethics and Judicial Affairs Committee.

Twenty-one aspirants are taking part in this stage of the selection process. Maritza Cedeño, president of the National Bar Association, withdrew her candidacy before the interviews began.

## Why It Matters

The Electoral Tribunal is one of Panama’s most important democratic institutions, responsible for organizing elections and safeguarding the country’s electoral framework. The appointment of its magistrates carries significant weight because it affects public confidence in future electoral processes and in the independence of the institution itself.

This round of interviews has also drawn attention because it is being carried out without citizen participation mechanisms. That absence has sparked criticism from sectors that are calling for greater openness in the selection of high-level public officials. The debate reflects broader questions in Panama about transparency, accountability, and trust in institutions.

## Context

Hearings for top judicial and electoral posts often attract close scrutiny in Panama, particularly when the positions influence the rules and administration of elections. The committee’s work now places lawmakers at the center of a process that will help determine who helps lead the body charged with electoral oversight.

With 21 candidates under review, the interviews will shape the next phase of a decision that has implications for the country’s political system. The selection comes at a time when institutional credibility remains a key public concern, especially for bodies tied directly to democracy and voting.