Guatemala, a country of 15 million people, on Sunday held elections to choose a new president, vice-president, 158 members of congress and 338mayors.
The Central American country is in the middle of a political crisis ignited by a corruption scandal that prompted the resignation of its president, vice president and numerous cabinet members, ministers and government officials.
A runoff election is widely expected as none of the 14 presidential candidates is likely to gather the required 50% plus one votes needed to win.
Otto Pérez Molina, 64, resigned as president on Thursday, just two days after the Guatemalan congress unanimously voted in favour of stripping the military commander of his prosecutorial immunity as head of state. The vote results were 132-0 in favour of his prosecution.
Otto Pérez Molina is now in custody.
Also in custody is former vice president, 53 year old Roxana Baldetti after his resignation.
Reports indicate that Pérez Molina, Baldetti and a group of close aides within his administration have been linked with receiving bribes in exchange for lowering taxes for companies seeking to imports various products into Guatemala.
Alejandro Maldonado, 79, who was vice president under Pérez Molina, was sworn in as his successor Thursday. He had only been vice president since May when he took over after Baldetti’s resignation. He’s asked for the resignation of the entire Cabinet.
Guatemala City had experienced protests demanding the resignation of the president and vice president after the corruption allegations were made public by the authorities.
Three of the 14 presidential candidates were leading the polls: Manuel Baldizón, 45, a businessman with the Renewed Democratic Liberty Party, Jimmy Morales, 46, an actor and comedian with National Convergence and Sandra Torres, 59, of the National Unity for Hope.
Sandra Torres was Guatemala’s first lady from 2008 to 2011. She has since divorced former President Álvaro Colom.
