In 2023, the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) faced problems with the computer system used in the elections. This area should be taken as a priority, experts affirm that ask the magistrates to leave aside their differences.
This March 14, two months have passed since, again, the TSE is paralyzed by a resolution that suspended four of the five titular magistrates.
The dispute between the acting president, Blanca Alfaro, the only holder, and the five substitutes puts at risk the future electoral process, alerted the organizations that make up the Guatemala forum.
Two years ago, the TSE made an investment of Q148 million for the purchase of the preliminary electoral results transmission system (TREP), a tool used in two drills, in the general elections and in the second round of the presidential election.
However, although the investment seemed to resolve the dissemination of preliminary data for other elections, the reality is not so, according to Pedro Cruz, of First Guatemala, who warns that this area needs to be reinforced by the Plenary of the TSE.
“Recall that the current voting counting program was touched. The source code was touched by the Public Ministry (MP) and, therefore, it is obsolete, it is no longer useful, it is no longer reliable, ”Cruz warned.
The MP maintains an investigation against TSE authorities for the purchase of the TREP system. During one of the requirements, the electoral body delivered the source code of the computer system, which, according to Cruz, subtracts total confidence to the tool.
The purchase of the TREP was endorsed by the Plenary of Magistrates, so looking for a new tool requires time and they still do not meet to work.
“You have to find a midpoint. The two parties must give in something that is within the framework of the law for the benefit of all. Otherwise, we will have problems in the elections, from which we are going to vote to those who plan to be candidates for positions of popular election, ”added Cruz.
In the event that the TSE decides not to buy such a tool, he could instruct his computer personnel for the creation of one, but that unit has not had a director for several months.
Census
For Marielos Fuentes, of visible Guatemala, another problem is the days of registration, since there are crucial dates that the TSE can be ignoring, due to its inactivity.
“What we see with greater concern is not something immediate, but in the medium term there are issues that affect the organization of the 2027 elections. Particularly, the issue of registration, because at the end of this year the change of residence expresses, not only for voters, but also for those who plan to register as candidates,” he said.
When the TSE Social Communication Department was consulted, he explained that this area is covered by one of its addresses with the delegates and subdelegates.
TOPelicos
Another aspect that could affect the electoral process is the ignorance of the pending appeals of the political parties, which prevents canceling the groups that did not reach the necessary votes to continue, or resolve cancellations that are not firm.
Together with the appeals, standards stand out that before the last electoral process were subject to changes.
“They must also issue regulations before the end of this year. We talk about internal regulations and for political parties. They must analyze whether they continue or if there are changes ”, these tasks, to be said of sources, are important and keys to the Plenary of the TSE.
Waiting
The alternate magistrates sent a joint position in which they explain that they do not seek to take away the presidency of Magistrate Blanca Alfaro and highlight that they now expect the resolution of the Courts, for the last amparos presented.
“It is unfortunate that at the media level it is intended to make prevail that the intention of our actions is to take away – Alfaro – the presidency of the TSE or pretend it, evidently diverting the attention of the acts and the way in which it was accessed, unilaterally, to the presidency. This is precisely the act that we have indicated as a violation and that legally prevents us from exercising our own function as alternate magistrates, ”they say in the document.
In addition, they sent a report requested by the MP, which investigates the way said magistrate maintains the presidency of the TSE.
The presidency “is clear”
The general secretary of the All party, Emerson García, led a dialogue table to try to get agreements between Alfaro and the alternates.
Garcia stressed that “it is clear that the presidency will not be in negotiation”, since the law is clear in saying that this role is justified to the titular magistrates.
Even as a dialogue table, two recommendations issued. “The first was to make a plenary as soon as possible, and the second, to say that the presidency was not under discussion. The law is clear when indicating that the presidency must be held by a titular magistrate, ”he said.
There will be no more dialogue meetings, but, like the social sectors, the parties expect the parties to understand that not working will damage the country.