Media Center

Background


OAS ELECTORAL OBSERVATION MISSION CONGRATULATES THE PEOPLE OF GUATEMALA FOR THEIR GREAT DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT

  September 10, 2007

The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS), following the September 9 balloting process, recognizes and congratulates the citizens of Guatemala for their great democratic civic spirit, as well as for their orderly, enthusiastic and peaceful participation in Sunday’s General Elections.

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, having received a verbal report from the Chief of Mission, Diego García Sayán, regarding those elections, expressed his satisfaction for the way in which they were carried out, for the performance of the candidates and the voters, and for the new demonstration of the Guatemalan people’ democratic vocation.

Bearing in mind the results reported to date by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, and considering that both Presidential candidates will compete in a run-off election on November 4, the OAS Mission values the maturity and responsibility shown by all candidates. It also expresses its recognition of the role carried out by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and by the different temporary electoral bodies composed by the thousands of citizens that manned the polling centers and stations.

In light of the evaluations and reports received from the observers deployed in the 22 departments throughout the country, the OAS Mission reiterates that the elections were carried out in a satisfactory manner, permitting the will of a great majority of citizens to be expressed in a free, orderly, transparent and massive fashion.

The Mission underscores that the “Commitment to the Guatemalan Citizens,” signed by the presidential candidates prior to Electoral Day, signifies a step forward in the task of building solid coexistence relations and mutual respect between the different political powers of the country, who found in this instrument a mechanism that allows Guatemala to continue traveling on its road to institutional improvement.

The OAS Mission will remain in Guatemala to continue accompanying the organization and administration process of the run-off, as well as the political campaigns of the competing candidates.

Reference: GUATEE10