OAS Special Mission in Guatemala Welcomes Initial Progress in the Nomination Process for Comptroller General of Accounts

Press Release

OAS Special Mission in Guatemala Welcomes Initial Progress in the Nomination Process for Comptroller General of Accounts

The Special Mission of the Organization of American States to Strengthen Democratic Institutions in Guatemala welcomes the establishment of the Nominating Commission for the selection of the Comptroller General of Accounts for the 2026-2030 term and notes positively the commencement of its work. The participation of all 27 members in the Commission's first session and the adoption of key organizational decisions represent an important step in a process that is fundamental to public accountability and integrity in the country.

The Mission recognizes the progress made by the Commission, including the election of its Secretary and Alternate Secretary, the designation of Rafael Landívar University as its venue, and the approval of operating rules, a timetable, a core set of interview topics, psychometric assessments, and requirements for filing objections. To build on this positive start, the Mission considers it important that the minutes of the session, the rules, the timetable, all approved instruments, and the individual voting records be published immediately and in full.

Before issuing the call for applications scheduled for August 20, the Mission considers it advisable that the candidate profile, eligibility requirements, application form, résumé guidelines, scoring table, methodology for the psychometric assessments, and interview rules be approved and made publicly available. As some of these instruments are currently expected to be finalized after applications have already begun to be received, the Mission encourages the Commission to review the timetable to ensure their prior publication and to provide applicants with at least five full business days to submit their applications. This would provide greater certainty and more equitable conditions for all applicants, particularly those residing outside the capital or needing to obtain official documentation. The call for applications should also be accompanied by nationwide outreach.

The Mission is concerned that providing reasons for votes was left to the discretion of each Commission member. The Commission should consider revisiting this rule and requiring that each vote be accompanied by a brief explanation addressing the candidate's profile, evaluation score, integrity, interview, and any objections raised-particularly when a vote departs from the results of the technical assessment. Such explanations may be concise and incorporated into the official record, thereby strengthening the transparency and traceability of the process.

The Commission could also reconsider the requirement that objections be submitted simultaneously in hard copy and on a USB drive. Instead, both physical and electronic submission channels could be made available, with acknowledgment of receipt and appropriate safeguards for personal data.

Interviews should include a common set of questions, equal time for all applicants, and a publicly available evaluation rubric. Any additional questions should arise from the applicant's file and should not result in unequal treatment. The purpose, methodology, weighting, and data-protection arrangements for the psychometric assessments should also be disclosed in advance, and each applicant should be given access to their results and an opportunity to seek clarification.

Other transparency safeguards remain equally important, including declarations of interest by Commission members, records of their contacts with applicants, a public repository containing all documentation related to the process, independent background checks, and recorded votes based on a comprehensive assessment of each candidate.

During its upcoming visit to the country, the Mission will seek to meet with the Nominating Commission to present these recommendations, share relevant comparative experiences, and hear the views of its members and other key stakeholders. The Mission will continue to accompany the process closely, constructively, and independently, in accordance with its mandate and the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Reference: E-091/26