ALL QUIET ON EVE OF GUATEMALAN ELECTIONS

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002864 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR EAID KDEM GT SUBJECT: ALL QUIET ON EVE OF GUATEMALAN ELECTIONS ¶1. With fourteen hours to go before the opening of voting tables on November 9, no election-related disturbances have been reported. The prohibition on partisan campaigning went into effect at noon on November 7, and all the political parties have ceased campaigning. The sale of alcohol has been suspended. News reports from around the country note that everything is normal. Businesses are open and traffic is the same as any weekend. ¶2. Embassy election observers have reported from their remote locations that things are quiet around the country. We spoke with senior representatives of the major political parties late on November 8, and none report any problems anticipated on election day. ¶3. The Ambassador toured the Mirador Electoral quick-count center and the Election Central of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on the morning of November 8. The TSE magistrates said that everything was in good shape for the elections, and said they expect it to be a civic event ("fiesta civica"). The Ambassador spoke with the Ministers of Defense and Government on the evening of November 7, and both say the security forces are prepared to preserve order on election day. ¶4. Comment: Defying months of rumors of pre-electoral violence and fears that most economic activity would be shut down, Guatemala appears poised to have a peaceful election. HAMILTON