election FAQ

Elections in Guatemala: 2018 National Referendum

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On April 15, a national referendum will be held, asking Guatemalan citizens if they agree with taking a territorial dispute with Belize to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague.

The long-standing dispute over territories has caused hostilities between Belize and Guatemala, and the referendum is the latest effort to reach a settlement. The two countries made several attempts to resolve the issue in the past but failed to find a lasting solution that is satisfactory to both parties and agreed that taking the case to ICJ is the best way to attain a final resolution.

To help you understand this important electoral process, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) provides Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Elections in Guatemala: 2018 National Referendum. IFES FAQs include:

  • What is the significance of having a referendum on the border dispute with Belize? Why is the referendum necessary?
  • How much public interest is there on this issue?
  • What provisions are in place to promote the equal participation of women?
  • How does the Supreme Electoral Tribunal use social media to connect with voters?