A few days ago, the acting president of the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE), Blanca Alfaro, announced that the participation of at least 40 political parties in the 2027 general elections is projected, which would apply candidates for the different positions of popular election.
Given this panorama, the question has emerged among the citizens: what are the legal requirements to create a political party?
The applicable regulations are found in articles 19, 50, 51 and 52 of the electoral law and political parties. The first step consists in the formation of a pro-formation committee of the party, responsible for initiating the process of constitution of the organization.
In accordance with article 52, the Committee must present a public deed in which its Constitution is formalized.
“The Notarial Act must obviously be justified in accordance with the regulations of the Notaries Code. This written demonstration, signed by the appearing parties, is presented to the Registry of Citizens, so that it is known and subsequently transferred to political organizations,” said Sergio Escobar, head of the Department of Political Organizations.
Once the Committee was formed, it must be demonstrated that it has the minimum number of affiliates required by the TSE, which in 2023 corresponded to 0.30 % of the electoral roll that in that year had 9 million 361 thousand 068 registered citizens, this was equivalent to more than 28 thousand affiliates.
Escobar added that in the department in his charge it is verified if the citizens mentioned in the minutes meet the legal requirements. In addition, this act must include the appointment of a provisional committee composed of at least nine members, who must appoint a provisional secretary.
A key point established by the TSE is that the registration of the committee is valid for two years. If the process of constitution of the party is not completed within that period, registration is automatically canceled. That is why, according to Alfaro, since 2025 requests have begun to submit for the creation of some 40 political organizations, with a view to participating in the 2027 elections.
“In political organizations, the corresponding purification is made and there are inter -institutional treaties that allow us to corroborate if the information of the appears is correct. After purification, an opinion is issued that is referred to the registration of citizens so that this issue the corresponding resolution,” said Escobar.
Related readings
Hyperfragmentation suggests institutional weakness
At the discretion of the political scientist Renzo Rosal, the projected increase in the number of political parties is a reflection of the institutional weakening of traditional parties, as well as the void that exists in electoral proposals.
“I believe that the fact of having forty games or more, according to the forecast of the Supreme Electoral Court, is part of what we have lived in the last electoral events. That is, we have a phenomenon in Guatemala that we can call as hyperfragmentation, of considerable weakening of the parties as institutions, and that, therefore, being empty of content, of proposals, of programs and also of programs and also of programs, Word – what we find is a proliferation of electoral vehicles, ”he said.
Rosal also assured that, if this massive participation in the 2027 elections, it will represent a significant challenge for the new magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Court, who will be elected next year and will be responsible for the organization of the electoral process.
Related readings
Related readings
New groups, same actors
At the end of April, the General Assembly of the New Times was held, headed by the former president of Congress and Deputy of Vamos, Shirley Rivera, who serves as general secretary of the new group. This party would seek to position itself as an option for the presidential, legislative and municipal elections of 2027.
Likewise, the deputies elected by the seed movement – currently canceled by court order – announced their intention to form a new political project. The movement would be led by deputy Samuel Pérez, with a view to competing in the next elections.
“We believe that at this time we are just in time to start with this process of creating a new political party. We are in a timely manner and we believe that we have the possibility of adding the people of Guatemala to this process,” said Deputy Andrea Reyes, of the official block.