Let the Campaigning Begin

Not that there's much of a difference compared to last week, but the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has officially opened campaign season in Guatemala. Elections for every level of government are as expected scheduled for September 11.

The president of the TSE, María Eugenia Villagrán , invited voters and political parties registered to participate in the elections, which he said should be held "in a peaceful, free and transparent" to represent "the clearest expression of strengthening democratic the country.

Twenty-seven political parties are registered for this year's elections, although only a handful of them are really capable of winning a significant number of seats.

A few tidbits -

The Frente Amplio has confirmed that it will support Rigoberta Menchu.

Municipal  and transit police will not be allowed to vote.

The Patriotic Party submitted its binomial to the TSE ten minutes after midnight this morning. Needless to say, they were the first party to do so. The PAN was a little slow as they did not show up until 7:00 A.M.

Finally, you can read about relative unknown Roberto Díaz Durán Quezada here. Díaz Durá is Torres' running mate for UNE. He's a gator, so it will be tough for me to support him.