The process towards the congressional and municipal elections on 16 May 2006, officially begins today, in accordance with a proclamation made by the Central Electoral Board (JCE). In the election, 178 deputies, 32 senators and 2,228 mayors and council members will be chosen. The electoral law establishes that candidates must be registered no later than 60 days prior to the elections. Thus, the deadline to register has been announced as 17 March 2006 at 12 midnight.