On October 12, 2021, MCN participated in the Electoral Affairs Committee of the Congress of the Republic, together with the Technical Alliance to Support the Legislature (ATAL), to present urgent points for electoral reform to improve Guatemala's political system.
On February 18, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal presented a reform initiative to the Electoral and Political Parties Law (LEPP). This initiative was presented after the Commission for Electoral Modernization and Update (CAME) was held in 2020. This commission invited citizens to submit proposals to solve the problems of the political system through electoral reform. The MCN participated in this Commission and presented a proposal.
What should the Electoral Affairs Committee pay attention to?
For these changes to become a reality, it is important that the Electoral Affairs Committee issues an opinion so that the discussion and approval of the reform can proceed. Remember that the next electoral process is in 2023, so it is important that these changes are made soon.
The most important changes that must be carried out are:
- Restore the representativeness of the political system, especially that of the Congress of the Republic. This is achieved by enabling the election of representatives personally and directly.
- Strengthen the institutional framework of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the other bodies that manage and oversee the electoral process, primarily by ensuring their independence.
- Correct current provisions that cause confusion or are inapplicable. Regulations that do not provide certainty create an environment in which due respect for the law cannot be ensured.
On the other hand, an important and urgent element is to improve citizen representation in Congress. Currently, according to Latinobarómetro data, only 18% of Guatemalans trust the Congress of the Republic.
Electoral reform is needed to address the causes of the problems in the last electoral process of 2019. For many Guatemalans, this process was one of the worst electoral processes in the democratic era. Therefore, reform of the Electoral Law is essential for the country's future and progress.