Guatemala’s Election Results Demand Respect and Support for Democracy

Guatemala: Respect Election Results

International Scrutiny Needed to Protect Right to Vote

Introduction

The recent elections held in Guatemala on June 25, 2023, have been marred by controversy and allegations of fraud. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced preliminary results indicating that Sandra Torres and Bernardo Arévalo would compete in the runoff election in August. However, several political parties, including those of President Alejandro Giammattei and presidential candidate Zury Rios, have brought a lawsuit alleging fraudulent voting. This has led to a suspension of the announcement of election results by the Constitutional Court. In this context, Human Rights Watch and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) are calling for respect for the electoral results and international scrutiny to protect the right to vote.

The Need for International Scrutiny

Human Rights Watch and WOLA argue that international scrutiny is crucial to protect Guatemala‘s right to vote. They emphasize that Guatemala lacks judicial independence and respect for the rule of law. In a country where the institutions charged with overseeing the elections have little credibility, international observers play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

The organizations cite the electoral observation missions of the Organization of American States and the European Union, which found no evidence of fraud or major irregularities that would call the results into question. These missions confirmed the integrity of the electoral process and warned against undermining the will of the people and democratic institutions by spreading unfounded claims of fraud.

A Context of Deterioration of the Rule of Law

The elections took place in a context of deteriorating rule of law in Guatemala. Opposition candidates were barred and faced arbitrary criminal proceedings, creating an uneven playing field. This, combined with the lack of judicial independence and credibility, raises concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.

The Brazilian government, the US State Department, several European embassies in Guatemala, and some European governments, such as Norway, have expressed concerns about attempts to undermine the election results. Domestic observers, Indigenous leaders, business sector associations, and human rights organizations have also called for respect for the results and the integrity of the electoral process.

The Threat to Democracy

Failure to respect the will of the people and the integrity of the electoral process would generate an unprecedented political crisis that goes beyond jeopardizing democracy to actively undermining it. Other governments, particularly those in Latin America, should not stay silent but instead speak out in support of democracy and the right to vote, as it is threatened in Guatemala.

Conclusion: Protecting Democracy

The situation in Guatemala calls for urgent international attention and scrutiny. Respect for the electoral results and the integrity of the electoral process is vital for upholding democracy. International actors have a responsibility to speak out and ensure the will of the people is not undermined. Failure to do so would not only compromise the future of democracy in Guatemala but also set a dangerous precedent for the region as a whole.

We must prioritize the protection of democratic values and the right to vote. The world is watching, and the importance of standing up for democracy cannot be overstated.