GUATEMALA, Guatemala City – The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Guatemala welcomes the officialization of the results of the General Elections and reaffirms, once again, respect for the popular will expressed by the Guatemalan people on June 25.
The Mission notes that, two weeks after the general elections, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) made official the results of the general elections and convened the second presidential round, in which the candidacies headed by Sandra Torres, for the National Unity of Hope party, and Bernardo Arévalo, for the Seed Movement, will participate.
The OAS Mission reiterates its deep concern about the judicialization of this process, as well as the attempts to not respect the popular will expressed at the polls on Sunday, June 25. At the same time, it states that the inappropriate tone used by the judge when addressing the TSE ignores that it is the highest electoral authority and that it enjoys autonomy and independence to fulfill its constitutional functions.
Finally, the Mission stresses that the electoral legislation is precise in stating that “a party may not be suspended after an election has been called and until it has been held.”
Taking into account this, the Mission calls on all institutions, strictly adhering to legal regulations, to provide the necessary guarantees so that those who compete in this second round can do so under equal conditions, and so that citizens can attend freely to express their sovereign will. Only the expression of the citizenry will make Guatemala continue advancing on the democratic path.
