The process was shaped by the decisions of the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) and the judiciary, which excluded applicants, said Community Block group leader Jordy Cañas.
The preliminary report on the work of the EU Election Observation Mission warned that the elections took place against a background of a serious deterioration in the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, as well as severe restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
Cañas believed that the high number of invalid votes should serve as a signal for the country’s political and judiciary institutions to deepen democracy.
He said that it is the product of the will of the people that causes complaints and dissatisfaction, so it is a fact that must be taken into account.
However, the document highlighted that Guatemalans demonstrated their firm commitment to democracy and civic values by going to the polls to express their will in an election day well organized by the TSE.
The mission, made up of more than 120 monitors stationed in this Central American area, commended the large flow of citizens to the polling stations, particularly young people and women, who turned out to vote in an atmosphere of serenity and courtesy.
He conveyed that Guatemala was facing great challenges, but also that its citizens had an undisputed democratic spirit.
Around 9.3 million residents of this nation were called to the polls last Sunday to elect a new president, a new vice president, 160 MPs, 340 mayors and 20 representatives for the Central American Parliament for the period 2024-2028.
After the counting of the votes, which has not yet been completed (it reached 98.27 percent), but with an irreversible trend, the presidential candidates Sandra Torres from the National Unity of Hope and Bernardo Arévalo from the Seed movement advance to the second round on August 20th.
rgh/znc