Guatemala’s general elections conclude with 31 arrests

The general elections in Guatemala ended with the conclusion of voting, which saw 31 individuals arrested and several incidents reported.

Over 9.3 million eligible Guatemalans had the opportunity to elect the next president and vice-president, 160 congressional deputies, 20 representatives to the Central American Parliament, and 340 municipal mayors.

According to the Guatemalan Public Prosecutor’s Office, by mid-afternoon, 208 complaints had been received regarding electoral conflicts, political propaganda issues, voters’ transportation, and alleged vote-buying.

Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and Escuintla departments experienced the most incidents, resulting in the arrests of 31 individuals.

The election day began with the opening of polling stations in Guatemala City, with the president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Irma Palencia, urging the population to participate in the process.

While Palencia reported the opening of all voting centers, the town of San José del Golfo witnessed initial incidents as residents prevented the opening of polling stations, citing the presence of voters from outside the town favoring a specific candidate.

Throughout the day, there were confrontations and reports of “acarreo” (the transportation of voters), individuals being reprimanded for taking pictures of their votes, and even the burning of some ballots.

The 22 presidential candidates also cast their votes and called on the population to participate in the democratic celebration, urging unity and putting aside the divisions and confrontations that marked the electoral campaign.

To win the presidential election outright, a candidate must secure over 50 percent of the valid votes.

Otherwise, the two candidates with the highest vote counts will participate in a second round of elections in August.