Government denounces “seizure” of electoral roll by the prosecutor’s office

The Guatemalan government denounced the “kidnapping” of the electoral roll by the Guatemalan prosecutor’s office that is investigating, through several judicial processes, the results of the 2023 elections in the country, which gave it the Victory for President Bernardo Arevalo.

Santiago Palomo, the presidential communications secretary, said at a press conference on Monday that the “seizure” of the electoral roll was a “serious and unjustifiable intrusion.”

“It records sensitive data of citizens that could be used illegally for spurious purposes,” said Palomo.

Blanca Alfaro, president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, also confirmed at a press conference that the prosecutor’s office took the electoral roll that is legally kept by that institution.

“There was a request (by the prosecution) in IT to be able to do a field analysis, we understand within the investigations,” said Alfaro.

He explained that the analyses were carried out on computers used in the elections – in the first and second round – which contain the electoral register and which were seized by the Prosecutor’s Office.

Secretary Palomo urged the competent authorities of the judicial system “to correct the actions of judges and prosecutors who have allowed institutional abuse at the hands of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP)” and insisted that “these latest events must represent sanctions of all kinds for those found responsible.”

Alfaro said he hopes the data will be properly safeguarded, as the registry includes information on around 10 million people.

AP consulted the prosecutor’s office about the “seizure” of the electoral roll. María Mansilla, an official in the communications department, said that “it is false and irresponsible to say that the electoral roll was seized,” since the prosecutor’s office had authorization from a judge.

“During the proceedings, the prosecutor in charge of the case was emphatic in warning everyone present that the case is confidential, so it is surprising that officials are disseminating information from a file that is confidential,” said Mansilla.

He also warned that a crime could be established, since “violating the confidentiality of a case under investigation is a criminal offense that could fall under (the crimes of) obstruction of criminal action or disobedience,” he added.

In 2023, Guatemala held elections to elect a president, deputies and local authorities.

Following the election, the prosecutor’s office received several complaints from the losing political parties alleging possible fraud, although international observers did not raise any alarms.

The Prosecutors opened investigations addressed to the President of the Republic, Bernardo Arévalo; his vice president, Karin Herrera, and members of the Movimiento Semilla party that brought them to power; magistrates of the electoral court and more than 150,000 citizens who participated by observing, safeguarding and counting the votes.

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels Youtube, WhatsApp and to newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.