Guatemalans vote on new president after tumultuous electoral season

A campaign billboard promoting Edmond Mulet, who is the presidential candidate of the Cabal party, towers over a road in Santa Lucia Milpas Altas, Guatemala (Moises Castillo/AP)

Guatemalans are voting to elect a new president and vice-president as well as fill all congress seats and hundreds of local posts after one of the most tumultuous electoral seasons in the Central American nation’s recent history.

Just over nine million people are registered to vote, but many Guatemalans have expressed disappointment with the presidential choices after three opposition candidates were excluded by authorities. A large number of null ballots are expected, and experts said a low turnout is likely.