The European Mission urges respect for the will of the citizens of Guatemala

In a statement, representatives of the Integration Bloc in this country called on the parties to abide by the established procedures for challenging the results at the polling stations, and to abide by the decisions issued by the electoral authorities.

Two days after the polls closed, the European Union Election Observation Mission warned that universal suffrage would take place in a context of a serious deterioration of the rule of law and judicial independence.

The head of the group, Jordi Canas, considered that the large number of invalid votes should be a reflection of the country’s political and judicial institutions to deepen democracy.

He explained that grievances and resentments are a product of the popular will, so it is a fact that must be taken into consideration.

The document highlighted that Guatemalans demonstrated their firm commitment to democracy and civic values, by going to the polls to express their will on an election day well organized by the Supreme Court of Elections.

However, this Saturday continues the matrix of opinion about a flawed electoral process and with amendments and inconsistencies in the records, whether for the election of the president, deputies or other positions.

In addition to the grievance filed last night before the Constitutional Court of nine parties against the Supreme Electoral Court, a few hours ago five other groups joined in signing a statement that insisted on the alleged anomalies in the results.

In the text, they point to the incorporation of a legal artistic bloc “for the sole purpose of showing the dangerous situation that endangers the very electoral process and democracy that we have lived through from 1986 until now.”

The candidate for the presidency of the Sid movement, Bernardo Arevalo, warned the day before in a press conference about the intentions of political groups to manipulate the situation.

“We cannot allow frustrated frustration to distort the outcome of the population’s decision,” said the 64-year-old diplomat and sociologist.

Analysts, social organizations and local press media insist that the next few hours will be decisive for Guatemala’s future and urge citizens to pay attention to the events.

GCM/Zn