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Media and Elections

Guatemala Guatemala

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question:What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s): a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
Comments: From the resources at the disposition of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to hire broadcasting time, 50% is allocated to the presidential candidates, 25% to the candidates to the legislature and the remaining 25% to the candidates to the municipal governments. Then, using the media plans of the political parties as input, it puts together a consolidated plan. The legislature and municipal candidates can give their broadcasting time to the presidential candidate of their respective political party.
Source: Electoral Law: “Ley Electoral y de Partidos Políticos”, art. 220–222: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/ ; Mass Media Regulations: “Reglamento de la Unidad Especializada sobre Medios de Comunicación y Estudios de Opinión”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/
Verified: 2023/05/29
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ME059

Television debates
Question:Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s): a. Yes, in presidential elections
Comments: While there is no provision in the law, however, televised presidential debates have occurred ever since 2007.
Source: República: “Elecciones 2023: Inician los debates de República con candidatos presidenciales”: https://republica.gt/politica/elecciones-2023-inician-los-debates-de-republica-con-candidatos-presidenciales-202342611290/ ; CNN: "Crime, immigration issues dominate Guatemala debate (2007).", http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/08/31/guatemala.debate/index.html?eref=rss_latest; Debates International: https://www.debatesinternational.org/taxonomy/term/172
Verified: 2023/05/29
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question:What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer: b. 2-3 days
Comments: While the Electoral Law states it to be of fifteen days, the amendments to the regulations establish it to be of 36 hours.
Source: Electoral Law: “Ley Electoral y de Partidos Políticos”, art. 223 c): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/ ; Electoral Law’s Regulations: “Reglamento de la Ley Electoral y de Partidos Políticos”, art. 19: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/ ; Mass Media Regulations: “Reglamento de la Unidad Especializada sobre Medios de Comunicación y Estudios de Opinión”, art. 19: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/
Verified: 2023/05/29
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ME080


Question:Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is the only authorised to hire broadcasting time at rates lower than the commercial ones. For electoral campaigns during general elections, the total budget (at least 0.25% of the State's ordinary income) for this purpose is divided for the different kinds of elections: 50% for the candidates to the presidency; 25% for the candidates to the Congress; and, 25% for the candidates to municipal governments. However, the candidates to the Congress and to municipal governments can transfer their time to their presidential candidates. In any case, those are the only spaces to which the political parties can have access to.
Source: Electoral Law: “Ley Electoral y de Partidos Políticos”, art. 220 d) f) & 222: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/ ; Mass Media Regulations: “Reglamento de la Unidad Especializada sobre Medios de Comunicación y Estudios de Opinión”, art. 12: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/
Verified: 2023/05/29
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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