Costly, Violent
Guatemala Elections
The Civilian
Organization "Mirador
Electoral" Wednesday
criticized violence,
obscure campaigns and
the excessive expenses
of a propaganda campaign
in Guatemala, during the
presentation of the
fourth report on the
process.
The document indicates
that from May 2 to July
26 of this year 57
violent acts have taken
place, of which 48 were
attempts against
candidates, activists
and their relatives.
As a result, 39 people
died and 17 were
seriously wounded,
hitting hardest the UNE
(National Unity of the
Hope) with 17 people
assassinated, followed
by GANA (Great National
Alliance) and PP (Partido
Patriota) with five
each.
Jose Davila, member of
Mirador Electoral
Organization, also
condemned the smear
campaigns against some
of the candidates to
occupy public positions,
which he described as
another form of
electoral violence.
Manfredo Marroquin,
another leader of the
organization, notified
some parties have
already far exceeded the
authorized budget given
by electoral
authorities, when there
are still 40 days for
September 9 Elections.
Marroquin indicated that
PP has spent nearly
eight million dollars on
propaganda, when they
were supposed to keep to
less than five million.
Political parties have
wasted 37.8 billion
dollars on television,
written media and radio
campaigns, surpassing
2003 Elections expenses. |
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