The race for the Guatemalan Presidency increases its rhythm

The latest opinion poll available was prepared on October 8 by ASIES, the Social Studies and Investigation Association of Guatemala. The sample consisted of 1,400 voters in the metropolitan, inner urban and rural areas. The poll indicates that support for the runners-up in second, third and forth place is increasing, while the most favored candidate keeps a steady lead.

Businessman Alvaro Arzú, candidate of the Partido de Avanzada Nacional (PAN), remains in first place with 41.7% of possible votes. Arzuús position is actually followed by 15.1% of expected void votes, and the 8% of voters who did not answer in favor of any candidate. Both of these figures are higher than the percentage held by the second place in the poll.

The second place is for the economist Alfonso Portillo, with 10.30% of support. Portillo belongs to the Frente Republicano Guatemalteco (FRG), backed by former Chief of State, Efraín Rios Montt, who took office after a military coup d'Etat in 1982.

Ex Foreign Minister Fernando Andrade Díaz Durán, is the candidate for the so called National Alliance between the Christian Democrats (DC), Social Democrats (PSD), and the Centrist party (UCN). He holds the third place with 7.90% of the votes.

Former Attorney General Acisclo Valladares Molina, founder and candidate of the Partido Libertador Progresista (PLP), shows 5.40% of popular support.

The 14 remaining candidates do not even reach 1 % of the citizens vote intent, and only one more candidate reaches a low 2.70% of the votes. Over 50% of the voters think that a second round in the presidential elections will have to take place after November 12.

ASIES
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