Jimmy Morales, a former TV comedian who has never held office, swept to power in Guatemala's presidential election on Sunday, after milking public anger over a corruption scandal that deepened distrust of the country's political establishment.

The 46-year-old Morales overwhelmingly beat center-left rival and former first lady Sandra Torres in a runoff vote despite his lack of government experience and some policy ideas that strike many as eccentric.

The headquarters of Morales' center-right National Convergence Front party erupted in celebration as official returns showed he had around 68 percent support in a landslide victory.