By Kay Sweeney/ Carmela Paz | Managing Director/ Education Program Coordinator
On September 7th, elections were held in Guatemala for president, deputies to Congress, and city mayors. Carmela Paz, program coordinator, used the opportunity of the September monthly meeting to discuss the importance of voting and the process involved. She talked with the students about the steps to follow to cast a vote and the importance of being well informed when you make your decision. She stressed that as the vote is secret, no one can obligate you to vote for a certain person or party and that it is possible to vote for people from different parties for different offices as it is good to have various opinion represented in Congress.
As a practice, Carmela divided the young women into two groups and each formed their own political party and decided on one of the members of the group to be their candidate for president. Each discussed her views and tried to get the others to vote for her. Carmela and Emilsa Peren, the other coordinator of the group, answered questions about the process.
Paula and Mayra were glad to learn more about the process of voting. They see it as important to take it seriously as the future of the country is in the hands of the voters. Who is elected will determine what happens. They are looking for changes in how the country is governed.
Clara Elizabeth, Florestina, and Glenda were happy to know that the vote is secret and that no one can obligate you to vote for a certain person. They will vote for someone who agrees with what they think is right.
Flory felt it showed a love for your country to vote for someone who would govern well.
Delia said that we must vote because every vote is important. She would be happy as a citizen to exercise this right.
Sandra and Norma will seek a candidate who has the capacity to govern and good principles and values.
They all left the meeting with a better idea of the voting process and its importance.
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