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percentage of the Evangelical population, it shows a greater interest in exercising the popular vote, and a more conscious attitude in favour of the country\u2019s democracy.\u000ATable 5.9 Have you voted in the Guatemalan General Elections?\u000A   Options Frequency\u000AAlways 377 Sometimes 45 Never 106 It is not worth while voting 10 Total 538 Source: Survey of Neo-Pentecostal lay people 2003\u000Ac. Preference for Evangelical candidates\u000AValid Per cent\u000A70.1 8.4 19.7 1.9 100\u000A         In the last decade the Guatemala Evangelicals have shown a clear preference for Evangelical candidates. Although this tendency underwent some changes the survey shows that the NPL incline towards these candidates in spite of the failures of Neo-Pentecostal politicians in the past. Half of the NPL interviewed said that they would vote in favour of an Evangelical candidate. Others affirmed that they would with certain reservations. That is to say, they would do it if the candidates fulfilled certain requirements such as the following. They would not vote for a candidate just because he is Evangelical. On the contrary, the candidates have to gain their trust before receiving their vote. The candidates moreover need to show integrity, must be people known in civic and professional contexts and have a plan of government. The GSNPL on the same question gave a similar result. Forty three per cent said that they would vote positively without greater reserve, 37.8 per cent affirmed that it would depend on the programme, 9.1 per cent thought that they would not and only 4.9 per cent said that they would vote for them because they were Christians.\u000AAn analysis of religious groups in Rio de Janeiro surveyed Evangelicals as to how they choose candidates; 1) vote for an Evangelical candidate; 2) vote for a candidate with good political ideas, or 3) vote for a candidate who will bring life improvements. They chose the second option (ISER 1996: 91). These economic or political surveys of\u000A267\u000A


































































































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