Two contenders in Guatemala’s presidential runoff election

World Today

Jimmy MoralesMotorcycles with signs in support of Jimmy Morales, the National Front of Convergence party presidential candidate, stand during a campaign rally in Guatemala City, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. The signs read in Spanish “Privileges? Never again.” (AP Photo/Luis Soto)

Guatemalans will elect a new leader on Sunday in the Central American nation’s final round of presidential elections.

A poll by a leading Guatemalan newspaper, Prensa Libre, puts television comedian, Jimmy Morales, ahead of the other contender by more than 35 percentage points. The 46-year-old candidate of the National Convergence Front has never held elected office. He elected, he said he plans to fight government corruption by establishing accountability.

The other contender is former first lady and center-left candidate, Sandra Torres. She’s widely seen as representing Guatemala’s old political guard. If she wins, she would become Guatemala’s first female president.

World Bank statistics show around 75 percent of the country’s people live in poverty. Another key issue is security. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America.

In the second and final round of voting, observers expect a low voter turnout.

CCTV America’s Franc Contreras reports from Guatemala City.