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Guatemala Votes After Turbulent Season

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

GUATEMALA CITY (Worthy News) – Guatemala was heading to a second round of voting for a new president and vice president as none of the candidates polled near the required 50 percent threshold for winning outright.

Sunday’s presidential election came after what was seen as one of the most tumultuous electoral seasons in the Central American nation’s recent history.

Many Guatemalans expressed disappointment with their presidential choices after authorities excluded three opposition candidates.

Many null ballots were expected, and experts said it could depress turnout.

With none of the 22 presidential candidates polling winning outright, a runoff ballot was due on August 20 between the top two finishers was almost inevitable.

President Alejandro Giammattei, who could not seek re-election, said Friday that the elections are “one more sign that we live in a stable democracy, something that is consolidated with periodic, free, and participatory elections.”

Yet there were already some complications reported early Sunday. Voting never got underway in San Jose del Golfo in central Guatemala.

HIGHLANDS TOWN

Locals in the highlands town would reportedly not allow the voting center to open, saying people outside the municipality had been bused in to vote.

When electoral authorities tried to open a new voting location in the town, they were blocked by locals, according to a statement from the Guatemala department election board.

National Police launched tear gas to clear the crowd of about 300, which set people running and triggered some rock-throwing by locals, witnesses said.

There were about 100 to 150 police and soldiers, and more were arriving, reporters said.

Later Sunday, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said voting had been canceled in San Jose del Golfo due to “the disturbances.”

The town’s citizens will be able to vote on August 20 during the expected second round of presidential voting, the tribunal said.

ELECTION PROBLEMS

The organization Electoral Lookout said the main election-related problems it was aware of across Guatemala were issues of alleged busing of voters from outside municipalities, purchased votes, and some intimidation toward journalists.

In San Martin Zapotitlan, about 110 miles (177 kilometers) west of Guatemala City, locals also reacted angrily to reports that outsiders had been brought in to vote.

Local outlet NotiReu showed images of what it said was a pile of burned ballots. It was not immediately clear how much these incidents had impacted the voting outcome.

Sunday’s elections came as voters expressed frustration with high crime, poverty, and malnutrition — all factors that push tens of thousands of Guatemalans to migrate each year.

There is also anger over official corruption and government moves against anti-corruption activists, observers said. Guatemalans were also electing all members of Congress and hundreds of mayors across the country.

“What doesn’t allow for free and democratic elections in Guatemala is corruption and impunity,” said former Guatemalan attorney general Thelma Aldana, who sought asylum in the United States on grounds of political persecution.