NIMD Guatemala Country Director Claudia Maselli reflects on the current situation in Guatemala and the steps needed to pave the way for national unity.
Since 1985, the year of transition to democracy in Guatemala, there has not been an electoral process so atypical as the latest elections in Guatemala past June and August. The elections were for the people of Guatemala to vote for local governance, parliament and new president.
However, the level of controversy that arose surrounding the integrity of the elections is unprecedented. The challenges already started in January 2023 when the general election process began. Accusations poured in from observers of the electoral process, accusing the electoral body of favoring some candidates in their registration and targeting others by banning them from competing. The accusations were varied. It even led to the cancellation of one of the three parties running in the electoral race with important intention of votes from electors as was surprisingly reflected in a specific timing poll.