Global Courant 2023-04-11 22:55:07
The general secretaries of 27 of the 30 political parties that will participate in the General Elections in Guatemala that will take place on June 25, 2023 signed a non-aggression pact that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) calls the National Agreement and that seeks to an electoral campaign without violence.
The TSE magistrates launched this agreement on April 11 with the intention that the political parties sign it and thereby promote an electoral process with integrity, that strengthens democracy and the rule of law in the country, in a environment of peace, respect, inclusion and ethics.
The pact is called the National Agreement for an ethical, peaceful, programmatic campaign and with democratic values, and according to the TSE, its purpose is to guarantee full elections to strengthen Guatemalan democracy and a culture of peace.
This agreement contains 16 points and most of them are commitments made by the signatory political parties to guarantee elections without violence, although there are also commitments made by the TSE.
The parties that signed the agreement are:
National Advance Party (PAN) Valor Party All Party Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG) National Hope Unity (UNE) Unionist Party National Welfare Party (Bien) Vision with Values Party (Viva) National Convergence Front (FCN-Nation) Commitment, Renovation and Order Party (Creo) Victoria Party Winaq Political Movement Vamos Party Humanist Party of Guatemala Movement for the Liberation of the Peoples (MLP) Citizen Prosperity Party Seed Movement Republican Union Party Blue Party Us Party Cabal Party Change Party Guatemalan Popular Party Republican Party Community Elephant Party Power Party My Family
did not sign the agreement
The three parties that did not sign the non-aggression agreement or pact were:
We Can Will, Opportunity and Solidarity (VOS) National Integration Party (PIN)
The general secretary of the VOS party, Carlos Bezares, indicated in the activity that they would not sign the non-aggression pact due to the rejection of the candidacies of the presidential pairings of the MLP, which postulates Thelma Cabrera and Jordán Rodas, as well as the rejection of the registration of Aldo Dávila, who is again seeking a seat in Congress.
In addition, he criticized other inscriptions that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal has made, which are questioned.
What’s in the agreement
The TSE magistrate, Gabriel Vladimir Aguilera Bolaños, read the National Agreement for an ethical, peaceful, programmatic campaign and with democratic values.
The document states that the signatories are committed to the democratic strengthening of Guatemala and consider that the 2023 electoral process “is a valuable opportunity to promote spaces for citizen participation and public deliberation, contributing towards the comprehensive development of the country and the Guatemalan population.” .
It also points out that they recognize “the importance for the country of an electoral process that promotes the participation of all the actors of the population in an environment of peace, harmony, respect, inclusiveness and free of discrimination where the discussion of programmatic proposals for development Guatemala is the main theme in the electoral campaign of the political organizations”.
“The Supreme Electoral Tribunal, in full articulation and coordination with the general secretariat of political parties and witnesses of honor, have agreed to sign this agreement that reflects the joint interest of contributing to the consolidation of the Guatemalan electoral system, through the development of a campaign electoral, ethical, peaceful, programmatic with broad public deliberation and in line with democratic values and standards of respect for human rights,” it reads.
the 16 commitments
These are the 16 commitments contained in the National Agreement and that the signatories undertake to execute and ensure.
First: develop a political campaign within the framework of what is established in the Political Constitution of the Republic, the Electoral and Political Parties Law, its regulations and reforms, as well as any other legal regulation related to these activities, with the purpose of strengthening democracy. and consolidate the rule of law in the country, in an environment of peace, observance of human rights, tolerance, inclusion, respect and ethics.
Second: undertake an electoral campaign focused on democratic values and principles promoting ethics, morality and responsibility in the conduct of the participating people, avoiding acts of discrimination, political violence against women that may violate the full exercise of human rights , especially women candidates for elective positions, avoiding speeches, messages or images in which women, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities or any person who undermines their dignity are violated.
Third: promote a culture of peace and avoid any type of physical or verbal aggression between politicians, candidates, militants and supporters, as well as a smear and misinformation campaign, accusations or unfounded legal disputes.
Fourth: develop a campaign focused on the debate of ideas and proposals where respect for political organizations and the dignity of affiliated candidates and supporters prevail, avoiding insults and personal attacks.
Fifth: actively promote, and in accordance with the electoral schedule, the dissemination of national and local government programs and plans, as well as the constructive debate on these among candidates that encourage them in activities that guarantee the presence and free participation of the population within on a civic level, ruling out any type of violence.
Sixth: actively promote citizen participation in the different activities of political organizations within the framework of a democratic culture of peace.
Seventh: do not use public resources and goods to carry out electoral propaganda in favor of or against any candidacy and in no case to covertly promote any person, official or political group.
Eighth: guarantee that the origin, use and destination of public and private funds received by political organizations have been managed with the principle of transparency, publicity, supervision and accountability, avoiding clientelism and undemocratic practices.
Ninth: use social networks and new information and communication technologies responsibly, avoiding false news and smear or disinformation campaigns.
Tenth: actively promote this agreement through its socialization and dissemination to the entire party structure at the national, departmental and municipal levels, including candidates for elected leadership positions and citizens in general.
Eleventh: abide by the electoral results in a responsible and democratic manner, thus respecting the popular will expressed at the polls and the rights of the political parties and candidates that are elected.
Twelfth: recognize the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, departmental delegations and municipal sub-delegations, as well as the temporary electoral bodies, as depository promoters, and guardians of this agreement. Also urge honor witnesses and electoral observation mechanisms that promote respect for the president according to the national, departmental and municipal levels.
Thirteenth: Recognize, accept and comply with the procedures established by the Electoral and Political Parties Law, its regulations and decree number one 2023 of the Supreme Electoral Court for the general elections and deputies to the Central American Parliament 2023
Fourteenth: The Supreme Electoral Tribunal undertakes to ensure the integrity, equity, legality and impartiality of the electoral process in all its phases and to add its efforts to those of political organizations, institutions and other representative sectors of the population so that the development of The elections constitute an example of legitimacy, transparency, respect for human rights and inclusion.
Fifteenth: The Supreme Electoral Tribunal urges all the actors in the electoral process and the general public to ensure compliance with this agreement and the strengthening of democracy during the electoral process-
Sixteenth: It is invited to adopt and promote a culture of peace during the electoral campaign as well as promote dialogue and respect, political interventions and citizenship, as well as encourage citizen participation in the electoral process and promote responsible and informed voting.