In the election of President Guatemala, former comedian Jimmy Morales wins

In Guatemala, the presidential elections ended, the counting of votes began. After processing several percent of the ballots, the country's highest electoral tribunal designated the leader of the vote, he became a representative of the right front of the national convergence, former comedian Jimmy Morales, reports the Prensa Libre portal.

In total, 14 candidates apply for the post of head of state. According to various polls, the real chances of victory, in addition to Morales, are possessed only by the representative of the right-centric party "Updated Democratic Freedom" Manuel Baldison and Sandra Torres from the Social-Democratic National Union of Hope.

Morales has about 27.8% of the vote, Baldison has about 20.9%. Torres, the former first lady, is still gaining 17%. If none of the candidates gains 50% of the vote in the first round, then the second round will take place in which two leading applicants will take part.

The turnout exceeded 50% of the stated seven and a half million voters. The president elected now will lead Guatemala until 2020.

The elections were preceded by a corruption scandal with the participation of the former head of state Otto Perez Molina. On Thursday, September 3, the court arrested him. Before that, he was deprived of judicial immunity. The Prosecutor General’s Office accuses Molin of a criminal conspiracy, smuggling and bribery.

According to investigators, the ex-president headed the corruption scheme identified in the activities of the country's customs authorities. At the end of August, on suspicion of involvement in her, Vice President Roxan Balldetti was arrested.

After the resignation of Molina, the vice-president of Guatemala Alejandro Maldonado was swore as an acting head of state. Speaking to the legislators, he turned to the current members of the government with an appeal to leave their positions to form a new office.

According to the Constitution, the Maldonado will act as the president until January 2016, when a new head of state will take office.