After repeated and blatant events, Guatemala’s electoral tribunal warns against early campaigning

Guatemala’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal has sharpened its warning over what it calls repeated and blatant acts that could amount to early campaigning ahead of the 2027 elections.

The tribunal reminded aspiring candidates, political parties, members and supporters that they must observe the timetable set by the Electoral and Political Parties Law. It said it is maintaining permanent monitoring and has 195 files linked to possible early-campaigning cases. Of those, 140 began on the tribunal’s own initiative.

The rules distinguish between electoral propaganda and political organizing. Under Article 62 Bis of the law’s regulations, electoral propaganda covers activities during the second phase of the electoral process that promote candidates, present government programs or seek to attract citizens’ votes.

The tribunal said political organizations may still conduct proselytizing activities outside the period established for electoral propaganda. But Article 94 Bis of the law provides for sanctions against individuals who campaign early to promote their image for an elected office, including refusal to register them as candidates.

The warning places candidates and political organizations on notice as the country approaches the 2027 vote. The tribunal’s message was shared through its official Guatemala TSE account.