Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03GUATEMALA2870
2003-11-10 02:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
GUATEMALAN ELECTIONS: VERY PRELIMINARY RESULTS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 100209Z Nov 03
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002870
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR EAID KDEM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN ELECTIONS: VERY PRELIMINARY RESULTS
SHOW FRG TRAILING AT 8 PM ON ELECTION NIGHT
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002870
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR EAID KDEM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN ELECTIONS: VERY PRELIMINARY RESULTS
SHOW FRG TRAILING AT 8 PM ON ELECTION NIGHT
1. Early election results from around the country (often
representing only one or two tables) at 8 p.m. on election
night have given the following results. We note that the
sample is too small to be considered statistically reliable,
but does reflect the vote from the four corners of the
country. Berger appears to have an early lead in Guatemala
City and eastern Guatemala, and Colom is ahead in the
indigenous west. Rios Montt is a distant third nationwide.
- percentage of vote for
- GANA UNE FRG PAN
- Berger Colom Rios Montt Lopez
-------------- --------------
Totonicapan 27 43 10 16
Jutiapa 31 23 23 9
San Marcos 21 28 18 24
Chimaltenango 18 49 10 4
Retalhuleu 51 20 13 5
Zacapa 32 27 26 10
Ixtapa (Escuintla) 30 32 27 10
Quezaltenango 48 31 8 5
Guatemala City 48 31 11 4
2. FRG leaders called a press conference late in the
afternoon on November 9 to complain that leading daily
"Prensa Libre" and anti-government cable TV Guatevision had
violated the electoral law by issuing anti-FRG propaganda on
election day. "Prensa Libre" printed a special edition at
mid-day, which headlined "FRG JEERED-AT," referring to the
fact that some individuals jeered at Rios Montt when he
voted. The special edition was sold throughout the country,
including inside voting centers (an Embassy officer purchased
one inside a voting center). Guatevision has been showing a
music video all day which talks about the importance of
making the right choices and uses pictures of masked FRG
protesters burning tires on July 24. FRG leaders called on
the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to take legal action
against "Prensa Libre" and Guatevision. The FRG leaders also
complained that large numbers of their supporters (like those
of other parties) were disenfranchised by the problems with
the voter registry and long delays voters suffered around the
country at voting centers.
3. Tensions remain high in several small towns where voting
lines remained long at the time the polls were supposed to
close. The TSE has announced that, in areas where large
numbers of intending voters were still waiting to have their
documents validated, polls will remain open until midnight.
HAMILTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR EAID KDEM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN ELECTIONS: VERY PRELIMINARY RESULTS
SHOW FRG TRAILING AT 8 PM ON ELECTION NIGHT
1. Early election results from around the country (often
representing only one or two tables) at 8 p.m. on election
night have given the following results. We note that the
sample is too small to be considered statistically reliable,
but does reflect the vote from the four corners of the
country. Berger appears to have an early lead in Guatemala
City and eastern Guatemala, and Colom is ahead in the
indigenous west. Rios Montt is a distant third nationwide.
- percentage of vote for
- GANA UNE FRG PAN
- Berger Colom Rios Montt Lopez
-------------- --------------
Totonicapan 27 43 10 16
Jutiapa 31 23 23 9
San Marcos 21 28 18 24
Chimaltenango 18 49 10 4
Retalhuleu 51 20 13 5
Zacapa 32 27 26 10
Ixtapa (Escuintla) 30 32 27 10
Quezaltenango 48 31 8 5
Guatemala City 48 31 11 4
2. FRG leaders called a press conference late in the
afternoon on November 9 to complain that leading daily
"Prensa Libre" and anti-government cable TV Guatevision had
violated the electoral law by issuing anti-FRG propaganda on
election day. "Prensa Libre" printed a special edition at
mid-day, which headlined "FRG JEERED-AT," referring to the
fact that some individuals jeered at Rios Montt when he
voted. The special edition was sold throughout the country,
including inside voting centers (an Embassy officer purchased
one inside a voting center). Guatevision has been showing a
music video all day which talks about the importance of
making the right choices and uses pictures of masked FRG
protesters burning tires on July 24. FRG leaders called on
the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to take legal action
against "Prensa Libre" and Guatevision. The FRG leaders also
complained that large numbers of their supporters (like those
of other parties) were disenfranchised by the problems with
the voter registry and long delays voters suffered around the
country at voting centers.
3. Tensions remain high in several small towns where voting
lines remained long at the time the polls were supposed to
close. The TSE has announced that, in areas where large
numbers of intending voters were still waiting to have their
documents validated, polls will remain open until midnight.
HAMILTON