Sunday, September 11, 2011

September 11 - Election Day in Guatemala

<-- Outside my house with the blue door





< Leading candidate Otto - previous general accused of war crimes - will he be re-elected?
































<-- area of street sectioned off outside school for voting. This is a small area of people so not much crowds. Although I am am told in other areas it takes all day to vote because of the crowds and time it takes.







Election Day in Guatemala. Started the night prior with extended prayers to God for protection and a positive outcome for the families and people of Guatemala. There was a tangible sense of apprehension and sadness about what would be the results for the following Sunday evening. Most educated people being apprehensive about the re-election of Otto Perez Molina. I was told that 4 years ago, for the last election in San Marcos that prior to the ballots being counted they were burnt by the military (?I think). This then led to a re-vote 2 months later.
So people were lining up this morning in San Marcos or their area. It is very very quiet in the streets, I heard that people are not allowed to market election stuff up to 3 days before the election. And then tonight, when the results are revealed, that is when the fiesta is.. . The other interesting thing is that citizens who can are obliged to give large amounts of money to their local candidates to help with marketing costs. If the local candidate does not win then they return the money, if they do win then they give the promise of work for January 2012 when they have the power to make such decisions. For example giving construction jobs to certain people who have contributed during the elections. Let us see what happens this evening...

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