(Reuters) – The Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday urged Guatemalans to recognize and respect the result of the presidential election, ahead of a second-round vote set for August.
“Ahead of the second round, the mission invites institutional, political, and social actors to undertake the process with a sense of democratic responsibility, refraining from statements that generate social division,” the OAS said in a statement.
It expressed its concerns after violent incidents marred the first round on Sunday in an otherwise calm day of voting, leading to the suspension of the election in two municipalities.
“The pre-electoral stage was characterized by a climate of tension and polarization, which must be addressed for the second presidential round,” said the OAS.
Guatemala’s former first lady Sandra Torres and anti-corruption champion Bernardo Arevalo are set to face off in the August run-off after the first round of voting on Sunday, when no candidate garnered the 50% plus one vote needed for outright victory.
(Reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Rosalba O’Brien)
