Central America

CC’s resolution that orders to repeat the scrutiny review hearing is questioned

Photo: Prensa Latina

July 4 |

During the morning of July 2, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) had not issued a position on the provisional injunction granted by the CC, while the Departmental Electoral Board (JED) of Guatemala and the Central District Electoral Board (JEDC) had not been notified and were waiting for indications from the TSE to proceed with the injunction.

The Constitutional Court (CC) granted a provisional injunction to a group of nine political parties, generating a series of steps for the verification of the minutes, preventing the TSE from making official the results of the general elections of June 25.

With this resolution, the different electoral boards of the country have to repeat the scrutiny review hearing, where challenges could be presented in minutes that, according to the criteria of the political parties, are not completely clear.

For example, some of the minutes that have been questioned are those that have a series of erasures, along with others that appear to have errors in the addition of the votes, according to the political organizations.

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The resolution of last Saturday, contemplates that in case the review of the tally sheets is not necessary, there is the possibility of a vote by vote count, which would mean opening the electoral boxes that are already in possession of the TSE, specifically in the Center of Operations of the Electoral Process (COPE), installed in the Parque de la Industria.

“The electoral boxes are no longer in the possession of the Electoral Boards, because they are already delivered to the TSE”, explained Kenneth Ordoñez, secretary of the JED of Guatemala.

“There in those boxes is the vote of the Guatemalans”, explained the secretary, adding that he agrees with electoral observation groups that affirm the need to safeguard the boxes containing the ballots. “In those boxes is the popular will and now we need the boxes back,” he says.

For his part José Murúa, president of the JEDC, points out that before proceeding they need indications from the highest electoral body. “We are waiting for the procedure indicated by the TSE, to evaluate how to proceed. Until the processes in process are not concluded, the appointment of mayor and councilmen cannot be concluded”.

The CC, after issuing the provisional injunction in favor of the parties, transferred the injunction to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), since they stated that due to issues of “competence” it is the CSJ who should be in charge.

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Related Topics:Central America Guatemala

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Mazatenango Carnival cancelled amid State of Siege in Guatemala

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The decision was announced on Tuesday through the municipality’s official Facebook page and comes as a preventive action amid the state of siege declared by the national government last Sunday.

The Mazatenango Carnival, one of the country’s most emblematic festivities, boasts more than 140 years of traditionand typically draws large crowds from across Guatemala and neighboring regions. Its program usually includes parades of floats, the traditional “Rabbit Race,” street dancing and live music, concerts, and cultural events in the Central Plaza.

According to the official statement, the cancellation responds to the current security context and the restrictions associated with the state of siege, prioritizing public safety.

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