Roundup: LatAm Nations Vote for New National, Regional Leaders

Mexico City (PNA/Xinhua) — Three Latin American nations went to the polls Sunday to elect a new president, including Argentina, Guatemala and Haiti, while Colombians voted for regional and local leaders.

Some 32 million registered voters in Argentina were eligible to elect one of three frontrunners to succeed outgoing President Cristina Fernandez, who stands down after eight years in office in December.

The polls in Argentina have closed without any reported disturbances.

Going into the vote Sunday, ruling Victory Front Party candidate Danielo Scioli was in first place with more than 38 percent support, followed by Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri, of the conservative Cambiemos (Let’s Change) Party, with 30 percent, and Deputy Sergio Massa of the United for a New Alternative Party (UNA), with 20 percent.

The winner must secure at least 45 percent of the votes, or 40 percent with a 10-point advantage over the runner up, otherwise a second round will be held in November.

GUATEMALA

Guatemalan voters went to the polls to elect a new president in a second round featuring political outsider Jimmy Morales and Sandra Torres, the ex-wife of former President Alvaro Colom (2008- 2012) and candidate of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party.

Morales won the first round on Sept. 6, trailed by Torres.

More than 7.5 million people were registered to vote in Guatemala, but observers said turnout appeared weak.

A comedian and actor, Morales found support among an electorate weary of a corrupt political class best personified by disgraced former President Otto Perez Molina, who was forced out of office on in September by massive protests.

He is accused of being the ringleader of a scheme to defraud the government of customs revenue and is undergoing trial.

Guatemala’s new president will serve from 2016 to 2020.

HAITI

Some 5.8 million registered voters in Haiti were set to elect a successor to President Michel Martelly, whose five-year term ends in May 2016, as well as 118 deputies and 30 senators, and local officials.

As many as 54 presidential hopefuls from as many parties were in the running, with opposition candidate Jude Celestin, of the Alternative League for Progress and Haitian Emancipation (LAPEH), the favorite with 33.4 percent support, according to a poll released Saturday.

The ruling Tet Kale Haitian Party (PHTK) candidate Jovenel Moise trailed in the distant second place with 17.5 percent.

The first round of voting for congressional representatives was held on Aug. 9, but turnout was at a low 18 percent.

COLOMBIA

Colombians were electing governors for 32 departments, or states, as well as 1,099 mayors, and local deputies and councilors.

No incidents were reported as polls opened around the South American country at 8:00 a.m. local time (1300 GMT) amid heavy security. They close at 4:00 p.m. (2100 GMT).

President Juan Manuel Santos said he hoped these elections would be the last to be held with the country’s long-running five- decade war with leftist rebels still underway.

“I hope the voting is peaceful and that this is the last election, after 50 years of war, in which we have to go to the ballots amid an armed conflict,” Santos said while casting his own vote.

The Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group has been negotiating a peace accord with the government since late 2012. A final agreement is expected by March. (PNA/Xinhua) JBP/EBP