The World - News from Feb. 14, 1988

Paraguayan police used electric prods to break up thousands of opposition supporters demanding “free elections” on the the eve of an election that longtime President Alfredo Stroessner is expected to win by a landslide. Sabino Augusto Montanaro, interior minister and president of the ruling Colorado Party, said, “We are sure the number of votes cast on Sunday for President Stroessner and Colorado Party candidates will not be less than 80% of the total.” About 1.4 million registered voters will be choosing a president, 36 senators and 72 deputies for the two-house Congress. Stroessner, a 75-year-old army general, has governed since 1954.