With more than 98 percent of the ballots computed, a second electoral round in Guatemala is certain to choose who will be the next president of the Republic for the next 6 years, after no contestant has gathered 50 percent of the votes. votes plus 1.
The two candidates who managed to advance to the second round were the former first lady of the center right, Sandra Torres, with 15.78 percent of the computed votes exercised yesterday, Sunday, June 25, when the general elections were held.
The second to advance was a surprise for many, since he was not emerging as one of the favorites in the intention of the Guatemalan vote. So, Bernardo Arevalo, from the leftist Movimiento Semilla party is placed with 11.80 percent of the votes computed.
According to the Preliminary Electoral Results, issued by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala, citizen participation in the elections this Sunday was 59.99 percent, which issued 5 million 499 thousand 963 valid votes.
The summary shows that, of the votes cast, 4 million 158 thousand 536 ?75.61 percent? were valid, while 385 thousand 014 ?7.0 percent? were blank, and 956 thousand 413 ?17.38? they were null.
In addition, they have specified that the count yielded 63,408 invalid votes and 4,138 challenges.
It should be noted that the electoral authorities contemplate an abstentionism of 40 percent, where three million 667 thousand 394 of those registered to cast their votes did not.
However, civil organizations and organizations for the protection of human rights reported the problems that many had in being able to access or cast their vote peacefully.
The final fight begins
"We are going to win, against whoever it is," warned Sandra Torres Casanova, early this Monday morning. The former first lady and who today heads the list for the second electoral round, scheduled for August 20, already knows the way, it is enough to remember that four years ago, in the 2019 elections, she succumbed in the second to the current president, Alejandro Giammattei.
Previously, in 2015, Torres Casanova lost in the second round against comedian Jimmy Morales, president between 2016 and 2020.
Given this, Sandra Torres hopes that the third time will be the charm and manage to inhabit the famous Casa Crema.
The task will not be easy. Although he was not positioned second on the road, yesterday's elections made it clear that the leftist Bernardo Arévalo de León, known as "Uncle Bernie" and leader of the Seed Movement, has gained great strength in the Central American country based on force urban areas.
Some call him the anti-corruption deputy, and he has focused his campaign on the fight for justice and social conscience.
Arévalo de León is also no stranger to the country's first magistracy, since he is the son of Juan José Arévalo Bermejo, considered one of the best presidents in history? 1945-1951? from the Central American country.
The candidate is a deputy and head of the Seed bench in Congress, where with just five parliamentarians they have sought to fight and be in opposition to the ruling party.
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