(MENAFN- Caribbean News Now) By Caribbean News Now contributor
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — Guatemalans casts their ballots Sunday, June 16, in a general election amid gang violence, poverty, the journey of migrants and asylum seekers heading through Mexico and across the US border.
Voters are expected to elect 160 representatives to the unicameral congress and hundreds of local officials. A total of 19 candidates will compete to succeed President Jimmy Morales. The outright candidate needs to win over 50 percent of the vote.
Meanwhile, the disparity between the rich and the poor widens, candidates pledge to attract more foreign investment to Guatemala by strengthening the protections granted to private property.
Other campaign issues include security, crime, migration and corruption.
Corruption has always characterized the country's political life, notwithstanding efforts to address the problem, the government of Oscar Berger (2004-2008) invited the United Nations to create the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) to inquire into corruption and crime in the country.
The ongoing political crisis tied to corruption has taken tens of millions of dollars out of the public coffers that could have otherwise contributed to addressing climate change, poverty, and other drivers of migration.
Addressing the driving forces of migration with public investment in infrastructure, health, housing, education, and small-scale agriculture in rural areas, is a primary focus to stem migration; however, current president Jimmy Morales did not renew CICIG's mandate, which ends in September.
Last month, the Guatemalan government signed an agreement with the US Department of Homeland Security on migration and trade with Mexico.
As these troops accumulate at the Guatemalan border, 'several dozens' Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigators and agents have also been posted to Guatemala to serve as 'advisers' to the national police and the country's immigration officials. According to US Democratic congressman Vicente Gonzalez, posting '100 US agents to Guatemala is insufficient,' hence the necessity for military staff.
Meanwhile, The Organization of American States (OAS) arrived in Guatemala for the general elections and elections (Parlacen).
The mission is made up of 84 observers from 23 nationalities, who will be deployed in the 22 departments of the country and two of the voting centres abroad: Silver Spring, Maryland, United States and New York, United States. The group of specialists will carry out a substantive analysis of the key issues: electoral organisation, electoral technology, campaign financing, electoral justice, electoral security, political participation of women, political participation of indigenous people and Afro-descendants, the vote abroad and the party system.
On election day, [Sunday, June 16] the observers will visit voting centres to accompany and analyse the vote, from the opening of centres to the vote count and transmission. Next, the mission will present a preliminary report with findings and recommendations to contribute to the strengthening of the Guatemalan electoral system. The final report will be later presented to the OAS permanent council.
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