Crique Sarco First Alcalde Alleges Voter Fraud

Concerns over voter eligibility have cast doubt on the recent village council election in Crique Sarco, where First Alcalde Marco Choc is formally contesting the outcome. Choc has lodged a complaint with the Elections and Boundaries Department (EBD) and called for the results to be annulled and a new election to be held.

Chairman-elect John Bo won the election by eleven votes but has not yet been sworn in due to the ongoing dispute. Choc claims that at least two dozen individuals on the voters’ list are not legitimate residents of Crique Sarco. He alleges they listed addresses within Temash National Park, an area he insists is uninhabitable and legally off-limits.

He further alleges that these individuals are from Barra Sarstoon, a Guatemalan community, and only appear in the village during election periods.

In a phone interview, Choc told News 5, “The communities have raised concerns that people who are not part of village life are casting votes here. We never see them except during elections.”

Choc is demanding a revised voters’ list that excludes individuals from other communities, including Graham Creek, Midway, and Barranco.

“We want the elections and boundaries to have a reelection; that would allow only, and I stress only, those from the community to vote,” Choc added. “We want the election and boundaries to revise the list, as it contains individuals who reside in other communities.”

The Elections and Boundaries Commission has confirmed that it is looking into the complaint.

Reports are that the same voters’ list was reportedly used in previous village council elections.