May 12, 2023
The Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Guatemala, Eladio Loizaga, concluded his preliminary visit to the country today. During his stay, the Mission´s leadership held meetings with the President of the Republic Alejandro Giammattei, Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro, members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Constitutional Court, as well as representatives of political parties, civil society and the diplomatic community.
Following these meetings, and ahead of the general elections on June 25, the Mission calls for candidates to base their campaigns on government programs and avoid personal attacks, and to foster a climate of citizen enthusiasm free of violence. Likewise, it invites the TSE to continue working to guarantee the proper development of the different phases of this electoral process and the citizenry to actively participate by informing themselves about the campaign proposals.
Before leaving, the Chief of Mission installed a technical team that will work over the next few days to compile information on the development of the process, both at the national and departmental levels. This team will observe the simulation of the transmission of preliminary results and will tour the TSE facilities in the different departments, among other activities.
The OAS Electoral Observation Mission, which will be made up of approximately 90 people, will return to the country in mid-June and will remain until after the general elections are held. This is the twenty-first Mission that the OAS has deployed in Guatemala.