Guatemalan Presidential Election Seems to be Heading for Runoff

Guatemala City, Sep 12. -A runoff appears to be set between Guatemalan presidential candidates Otto Perez Molina and Manuel Baldizon, after almost 75 percent of the ballots from Sunday's election were counted on Monday. The results so far corroborated predictions thrown up by surveys conducted shortly after campaigning began on May 2.

With 75 percent of the ballots counted, Perez Molina of the Patriota Party led the list of 10 candidates with 37 percent.

A simple majority of 50 percent plus one was needed to win in the first round of voting.

Baldizon, from the Libertad Democratica Renovada Party, was most likely to be his rival in the runoff set for November, with 21 percent of votes so far.

Perez Molina expressed satisfaction at his advantage, and spoke positively about immediate preparations for the runoff.

Baldizon was more discreet in his first statements to the press. He said he would rather wait for a report from the Supreme Election Court will announce with a more complete count. (Prensa Latina)