GUATEMALA CITY, May 21 (Reuters) - More than 120 people were rushed to the hospital with food poisoning after eating free sandwiches served to lure supporters to a political rally for Guatemala's leading presidential candidate, Alvaro Colom.

Hospital director Oscar Canek said the tainted ham sandwiches, served at a lunch on Sunday in the town of Escuintla, caused severe vomiting and diarrhea.

All the patients had eaten at the midday political rally and 20 were so severely affected they had to spend the night in hospital, Canek said on Monday.

Colom's National Unity and Hope Party paid for the victims' treatment of hydrating liquids and medicine and gave them rides home when they were released from hospital.

It is common in Guatemala to give out food at political rallies, which some critics say is equivalent to vote buying.

"You have to give people food so that they come," said Fernando Barillas, a party spokesman. "The people demand it."

Colom leads a crowded field of candidates for the countries Sept. 9 presidential election, polls show.

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