Polls Shut in Guatemalan Presidential Election, Run-Off Expected

(Left) Guatemalan presidential candidates Zury Rios of the coalition of Valor and Unionista political parties, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on April 16, 2023. (Center) Edmond Mulet of the CABAL party in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala, on June 18, 2023. (Right) Sandra Torres of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on May 27, 2023. Luis Echeverria/Cristina Chiquin/Reuters

GUATEMALA CITY—Polling stations closed on Sunday evening in Guatemala’s tight presidential election, which has been dominated by international concerns over corruption, the exclusion of a leading candidate and the cost of living.

The contest is expected to go to a run-off in August, with former First Lady Sandra Torres tipped to win the first round though expected to fall short of the 50 percent plus one vote needed for an outright victory.