VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #0858 1241947
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041947Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2616
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 4234
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000858 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KDEM PHUM EAID SNAR GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA LAUNCHES 2007 ELECTORAL SEASON 
 
REF: GUATEMALA 740 AND PREVIOUS 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Guatemala's 2007 electoral season officially 
opened on May 2, leaving four months of campaigning until 
general elections on September 9.  A second round, if 
necessary, to elect the president is scheduled for November 
¶4.  Approximately 5.7 million citizens are registered to vote 
for more than 3,720 public offices at the national and local 
levels.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) officially opened 
the 2007 electoral season on May 2 for national and local 
elections scheduled for September 9.  TSE president Oscar 
Bolanos led the opening ceremony, which was attended by 
presidential pre-candidates, political leaders, local 
authorities, representatives of the international community, 
and members of organizations that will monitor the electoral 
process.  Bolanos said that the TSE will ensure free and 
transparent elections and promote participation of women and 
youth.  Pointing out that the rules are clear, he urged all 
candidates to commit themselves to running clean campaigns. 
 
 
¶3.  At stake are more than 3,720 public seats, including the 
office of president and vice president, 158 congressional 
seats, 20 seats in the Central American Parliament (plus 
their alternates), 332 mayors, and 3,190 city council members 
in 332 municipalities.  Over two-thirds of the deputies in 
Congress are running for re-election.  A dozen of the 19 
registered parties have confirmed their presidential 
candidates and running mates.  A run-off for president will 
take place November 4 if no candidate wins a majority of the 
votes during the first round. 
 
¶4.  The TSE estimates the elections will cost Q409 million 
(approx. USD 54 million) and involve approximately 250,000 
persons, including TSE magistrates, collaborators, 120,000 
national and international observers (including 150 observers 
from the Organization of American States), support personnel, 
security, logistics and communications.  In compliance with 
the electoral law, which mandates the collaboration of 
government security forces and public servants in the 
electoral process, the PNC will deploy 19,000 agents to 
provide elections security, with the assistance of 13,000 
military personnel, and has identified areas for heightened 
vigilance to prevent elections-related violence.  In 284 
municipalities, police patrols will secure the movements of 
TSE delegates and the transport of ballots.  In high-crime 
 
SIPDIS 
regions such as Jutiapa and certain municipalities close to 
the capital, such as Villa Nueva, the PNC plans to reinforce 
security with special forces. 
 
¶5.  A process is underway to decentralize the voting process 
for the first time since the 2004 reform of the electoral 
law, with the installation of 687 new voting centers (for a 
total of 15,000 voting booths nationwide) in 248 
municipalities, to encourage greater participation in the 
political process.  The Executive Branch, international 
observers, and magistrates of electoral tribunals in Latin 
America have expressed concern over the enormous logistical 
challenges in accessing the rural sites and installing the 
new centers. 
 
¶6.  With successful decentralization of polling sites, the 
TSE hopes for greater voter turnout this year than in past 
 
SIPDIS 
elections.  Of the 5.1 million people who had registered to 
vote in the 2003 general elections, 60 percent voted.  As of 
March 31, 5.7 million people had registered to vote this 
year, including 1.3 million in the 18-25 age bracket, 46 
percent women, 54 percent men, 72 percent literate, and 28 
percent illiterate.  The TSE anticipates that 5.8 million 
citizens will register to vote by June 9, the registration 
deadline.  Among those who have already registered, 558,350 
persons need to clarify data or complete their registration, 
including 331,641 first-time registered voters who have not 
picked up their registration numbers. 
 
¶7.  "Mirador Electoral," a domestic NGO coalition observing 
the electoral process, expressed concern over political 
violence.  A report of the Central American Institute of 
Political Studies (INCEP) documented 25 elections-related 
murders over the past year, affecting primarily the National 
Unity of Hope (UNE) party.  The Ministry of Government has 
sent a letter to each political party to assess security 
needs for rallies and other public campaign events.  As in 
previous elections, the GOG will not provide security for 
candidates until the second round. 
Derham