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OAS Congratulates Historic Turnout in Second Presidential Election in Guatemala

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, today congratulated the government and people of Guatemala on the calm environment that marked yesterday’s elections, “which reflects the predominant spirit in Guatemalan society, of caring for and strengthening democratic institutions.” The Secretary General also communicated with the President Elect of Guatemala, Otto Pérez Molina, and congratulated him on his electoral triumph.

The OAS Mission of Electoral Observation (MEO/OAS), headed by Ambassador José Octavio Bordón, highlights that the elections took place in an environment of peace and normalcy, which was conducive to the massive participation of citizens who came out to polling stations to elect their top authorities. This was reflected in a historic level of participation for a second presidential round, surpassing 60 percent.

Deployed in the 22 departments of the country, the 65 international observers of the MEO/OAS noted that, as established by electoral law, the tables observed opened on time at 7 o’clock in the morning and were equipped with all necessary materials to conduct ballot casting.

Throughout the day, the Mission observed orderly participation by citizens at the polls, a timely delivery of information to voters by authorities at voting centers, which functioned properly, and the prompt exercise of the right to vote by citizens. After closing, the MEO/OAS witnessed an orderly counting process conducted in an environment of calm and normalcy by the authorities presiding over the tables.

The MEO/OAS congratulates the Supreme Electoral Court on the improvements incorporated into the information system, achieving an efficient transmission of electoral results and allowing citizens and political parties to rely, a few hours before the end of voting, on timely information on the trends of the electoral results. In this sense, the Mission highlights the opening and positive reception of recommendations received after the September elections, to improve this and other aspects of the electoral process.

The Mission received complains of vote buying from both political parties in the race, as well as political proselytism at the polling centers or their surroundings. All complaints were relayed to the electoral authorities to be processed according to Guatemalan law, and the Mission requests that these crimes not go unpunished.

Finalizing the electoral process in the first and second rounds, the OAS Mission of Observation reiterates the call to improve structural aspects that will be key to perfecting Guatemalan democracy. In this sense, the post-election period happens at a timely moment to open a debate regarding important reforms required by electoral legislation, including the financing of political parties, control and oversight capabilities by the competent authorities on spending limits, equal participation by women in politics, and equal access of different proposals to media organizations.

The Mission of the Organization of American States wishes to highlight especially the good disposition of government authorities, who offered all the information and guarantees so the mission of electoral observation may proceed in an adequate manner.

Once again, the MEO/OAS wishes to congratulate the authorities of the Supreme Electoral Court, authorities of the Departmental Electoral Committees, the Candidates, Political Parties, citizens who actively participated in the electoral process, fulfilling tasks at the voting tables, and citizens who turned out in great numbers to vote, for the exemplary development of this second presidential election.

The MEO/OAS expresses its wish that after the electoral process the different sectors of the country may work jointly for the development of Guatemala, and that the commitments assumed during the campaign may be fulfilled in answer to the trust demonstrated by the citizenry.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-944/11