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Guatemala electing new president Guatemala electing new president
(about 3 hours later)
Guatemalans are voting in presidential and parliamentary elections after one of the bloodiest campaigns in the country's history.Guatemalans are voting in presidential and parliamentary elections after one of the bloodiest campaigns in the country's history.
More than 50 candidates, activists and their relatives have been murdered in the run-up to the elections.More than 50 candidates, activists and their relatives have been murdered in the run-up to the elections.
The two main presidential contenders are Alvaro Colom, a centre-left businessman, and a former general, Otto Perez Molina.The two main presidential contenders are Alvaro Colom, a centre-left businessman, and a former general, Otto Perez Molina.
They have vowed to fight crime and reduce poverty.They have vowed to fight crime and reduce poverty.
Mr Colom, who is running for the presidency for the third time in a row, has promised to overhaul the security forces and the judicial system, which many criticise for being slow, corrupt and inefficient.Mr Colom, who is running for the presidency for the third time in a row, has promised to overhaul the security forces and the judicial system, which many criticise for being slow, corrupt and inefficient.
Otto Perez Molina says he will bring back the death penaltyMr Perez Molina has pledged to increase the size of the police force by 50% and revive the death penalty. Mr Perez Molina has pledged to increase the size of the police force by 50% and revive the death penalty.
Of the 14 presidential candidates, Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchu is the best-known internationally, but she trails far behind the front-runners.Of the 14 presidential candidates, Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchu is the best-known internationally, but she trails far behind the front-runners.
Alejandro Giammattei, from President Oscar Berger's party, is also trailing in the polls.Alejandro Giammattei, from President Oscar Berger's party, is also trailing in the polls.
None of the candidates is expected to win the 50% support needed to win outright, and a second round run-off is expected on 4 November.None of the candidates is expected to win the 50% support needed to win outright, and a second round run-off is expected on 4 November.
Organised gangsOrganised gangs
GUATEMALA ELECTION FACTS 14 presidential candidatesVoting mandatory5.9m registered voters out of pop of 14.6mRun-off on 4 Nov if no-one wins more than 50% Bullets overshadow ballot Guatemala is still suffering the after-effects of the 1960-1996 civil war between leftist rebels and successive military governments, which left nearly a quarter of a million people dead or missing.GUATEMALA ELECTION FACTS 14 presidential candidatesVoting mandatory5.9m registered voters out of pop of 14.6mRun-off on 4 Nov if no-one wins more than 50% Bullets overshadow ballot Guatemala is still suffering the after-effects of the 1960-1996 civil war between leftist rebels and successive military governments, which left nearly a quarter of a million people dead or missing.
An official inquiry concluded that 90% of the crimes committed during the war were carried out by security forces. But very few people have been prosecuted.An official inquiry concluded that 90% of the crimes committed during the war were carried out by security forces. But very few people have been prosecuted.
Alvaro Colom wants to overhaul the security systemAccording to experts, the violent paramilitary forces that fought during the war were never disarmed - they were just recycled and put to use by organised criminals. According to experts, the violent paramilitary forces that fought during the war were never disarmed - they were just recycled and put to use by organised criminals.
Election violence has been blamed on a combination of attacks on politicians by shadowy armed groups and attempts by organised crime and drug gangs to win influence in political parties.Election violence has been blamed on a combination of attacks on politicians by shadowy armed groups and attempts by organised crime and drug gangs to win influence in political parties.
Like some other countries in Central America and the Caribbean, Guatemala has become a major transit route for the drugs trade into the US.Like some other countries in Central America and the Caribbean, Guatemala has become a major transit route for the drugs trade into the US.
Other election issues are poverty and unemployment, and the situation of Guatemalans living in the US.Other election issues are poverty and unemployment, and the situation of Guatemalans living in the US.