Guatemala City, August 16 (RHC)-- The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Guatemala urged the political groups Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE) and Movimiento Semilla to respect the rules and procedures of the electoral process for the second round scheduled for this coming Sunday, August 20th.

Through a communiqué issued in Guatemala City, the TSE pointed out that within the framework of the National Agreement for a peaceful electoral campaign, subscribed last April 11, it is necessary to promote participation in an environment of peace, respect and inclusion.

According to the electoral body, the objective of the agreement is to guarantee the respect for the will of the citizens expressed in the ballot boxes and to strengthen the democracy of the Central American country.

A few days before the celebration of the second round of elections, the candidate Bernardo Arevalo of the Seed Movement, has denounced a disinformation campaign against him.  The electoral process and campaign for the run-off election in Guatemala has been marked by judicial actions initiated by the Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity (Feci), which has generated concern among international organizations and actors regarding the elections.

More than 9.3 million Guatemalans are summoned to go to the polls on Sunday, August 20, when the second round of elections will be held to elect the next president and vice-president of Guatemala.

In the first round of elections held on June 25, candidate Sandra Torres obtained 15.8 percent of the votes, while candidate Bernardo Arévalo obtained 11.7 percent of the ballots.  Following the results at the end of June, the candidate of the Seed Movement has denounced a political persecution after a judge, at the request of Feci, ordered the suspension of his party, for alleged illegalities.

This request, which was not complied with by the electoral court, is considered an attempt to hinder his participation in the second round on August 20, to be disputed against Sandra Torres.