The 2023 General Elections Recap: A Homer
This has been the most challenged election in recent history, with people objecting to different issues ranging from disqualification of candidates to the official vote count.
The General Election was held on June 25, as scheduled. 59.45% of registered voters participated. The main surprises of the General Election were the performance of the VAMOS party across the board, and of the Movement "Semilla" (MS) party in the presidential and congressional elections. Of note, 17.33% decided to annul their vote in the presidential ballot, probably as a sign of protest. This has been the most challenged election in recent history, with people objecting to different issues ranging from disqualification of candidates to the official vote count. A second round, or runoff, between the two presidential contenders with the most votes is scheduled for August 20.
Presidential Electiom
The front runner was Sandra Torres of the UNE party, as expected. The top of the field was surprising: Bernardo Arevalo from the MS party (11.74%), Manuel Conde from the official VAMOS party (7.85%) and Armando Castillo from the VIVA party (7.14%). This was the third presidential candidacy of Torres and Conde and the first of Arévalo and Castillo. It is interesting to note that Arévalo, Conde and Castillo are currently congressmen. All things considered, it seems like Arévalo, a son of former president Juan Jose Arévalo, pulled a Homer.
Congress Election
All of Congress 160 seats were at play. The official VAMOS party elected 39 representatives, as the clear winner of this election. The UNE party ended up with 28 representatives. MS party elected 23 representatives, CABAL party 18 and the VIVA party 11. There will be a total of 16 parties with representatives in Congress, with 12 parties with small benches, ranging from 7 to 1 representative each. Pundits expected UNE to win more seats, and VAMOS to win less seats. None expected MS to win 7 of the 11 representatives for Guatemala City electoral district.
Municipalities
All 340 municipalities were at play. The official VAMOS party won in 131 municipalities, followed by CABAL party with 49 and UNE with 38. MS won one municipality. Guatemala City reelected Mayor Ricardo Quiñonez in the most contested election in recent history.
General Observations.
The late exclusion of the candidates of the PC party, including their presidential hopeful Carlos Pineda at a time when he was considered the frontrunner, did not generate as much protest as the possible cancellation of the MS party, requested by the Public Ministry after the first round. The amount of doubts that the electoral process has generated is of concern and unprecedented.
The 2023 General Elections Recap: A Homer
This has been the most challenged election in recent history, with people objecting to different issues ranging from disqualification of candidates to the official vote count.
The General Election was held on June 25, as scheduled. 59.45% of registered voters participated. The main surprises of the General Election were the performance of the VAMOS party across the board, and of the Movement "Semilla" (MS) party in the presidential and congressional elections. Of note, 17.33% decided to annul their vote in the presidential ballot, probably as a sign of protest. This has been the most challenged election in recent history, with people objecting to different issues ranging from disqualification of candidates to the official vote count. A second round, or runoff, between the two presidential contenders with the most votes is scheduled for August 20.
Presidential Electiom
The front runner was Sandra Torres of the UNE party, as expected. The top of the field was surprising: Bernardo Arevalo from the MS party (11.74%), Manuel Conde from the official VAMOS party (7.85%) and Armando Castillo from the VIVA party (7.14%). This was the third presidential candidacy of Torres and Conde and the first of Arévalo and Castillo. It is interesting to note that Arévalo, Conde and Castillo are currently congressmen. All things considered, it seems like Arévalo, a son of former president Juan Jose Arévalo, pulled a Homer.
Congress Election
All of Congress 160 seats were at play. The official VAMOS party elected 39 representatives, as the clear winner of this election. The UNE party ended up with 28 representatives. MS party elected 23 representatives, CABAL party 18 and the VIVA party 11. There will be a total of 16 parties with representatives in Congress, with 12 parties with small benches, ranging from 7 to 1 representative each. Pundits expected UNE to win more seats, and VAMOS to win less seats. None expected MS to win 7 of the 11 representatives for Guatemala City electoral district.
Municipalities
All 340 municipalities were at play. The official VAMOS party won in 131 municipalities, followed by CABAL party with 49 and UNE with 38. MS won one municipality. Guatemala City reelected Mayor Ricardo Quiñonez in the most contested election in recent history.
General Observations.
The late exclusion of the candidates of the PC party, including their presidential hopeful Carlos Pineda at a time when he was considered the frontrunner, did not generate as much protest as the possible cancellation of the MS party, requested by the Public Ministry after the first round. The amount of doubts that the electoral process has generated is of concern and unprecedented.