After many weeks of compiling elections reports from national and international observers, we finally present a summary of our observations for the first and second round of elections. It was such a pleasure to have over 100 certified international observers join nearly 60 national observers throughout the country to ensure a free and fair electoral process.
SHARE El Salvador has observed every presidential election in El Salvador since the signing of the Peace Accords, and this year was no exception. SHARE accredited national and international observers to monitor the 2014 Presidential Election process, with a group of 56 national observers and 108 international observers in the first round of elections. A group of 31 international observers and 56 national observers helped guarantee the transparency of the run-off election on March 9th, observing in many of the same voting centers as the first round.
Observers represented various organizations, universities, and religious institutions, including small groups from CARECEN, SALEF, a Berkeley city councilmember, and ex-mayor of Berkeley, Gus Newport. National groups included the Alliance for the Defense of the Rights of Rural Women and members of the LGBTQ community. 164 observers monitored voting centers in San Salvador, La Libertad, San Vicente, Cabañas, Ahuachapán, Chalatenango, La Paz, Sonsonate, and Usulután in February.
International observers from SHARE, Sister Cities, and CISPES held a press conference in February to announce elections observations and congratulate the TSE for a smooth and transparent process. // Observadores internacionales de SHARE, Ciudades Hermanas, y CISPES hicieron una conferencia de prensa para anunciar sus observaciones y felicitar al TSE por un proceso electoral muy transparente.
Throughout the entire process, observing preparations, Election Day, and the transmission of results in both February and March, our observer reports highlight the Supreme Electoral Tribunal’s transparency, professionalism, and fluidity during the 2014 electoral process.
The TSE made many improvements to the Salvadoran electoral process for 2014. They allowed a greater window for citizens to register to vote, closing the electoral registry just 122 days prior to the February elections. The TSE also ensured an update of the same electoral registry, removing thousands of deceased voters from the list and, for the first time, expanding the registry to include 10,337 Salvadorans living abroad to vote via absentee ballot. The presence of many different national and international observation missions, as well as Salvadoran government institutions and non-government organizations, including the National Civil Police (PNC), Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, political party representatives, TSE representatives, and presence of the Green Cross first-responders teams also contributed positively to the 2014 electoral process.
Second round press conference with SHARE and CISPES observers. // Conferencia de prensa de la segunda vuelta, con observadores de SHARE y CISPES.
Thanks to the implementation of residential voting centers throughout the country, this year’s elections were much more accessible to citizens, an important advance in the voting system. Citizens did not have to wait in long lines, and there was also special attention given to pregnant women, the elderly, and differently abled. El Salvador is the last country in Latin America to implement residential voting.
For the first time, PNC agents on duty at voting centers were also able to vote in the last polling station at each center.
Poll worker counting ballots.
(Photo courtesy Cathy Lester / Patricia Thornburg)
When moments of confusion arose among poll workers, they worked together to resolve the issue, using the training manual provided by the TSE.
A greater number of women participated as poll workers, balancing out gender equality during the process.
For the first time, awareness and care was placed in respecting the voting rights of the LGBTQ community. Following pressure from LGBTQ activists, the TSE announced just days before the elections that all voters rights be respected, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. For more analysis of transgender voting rights, read this great article by former SHARE staff Danielle Mackey.
A group of national observers from the Colectiva Alejandría specifically worked to ensure respect for LGBTQ voters in San Salvador and Sonsonate. // Un grupo de observadores nacionales representando la Colectiva Alejandría, velaron para asegurar el respeto de los votantes LGBTI en San Salvador y Sonsonate.
Areas where the TSE should improve include raising voter knowledge and awareness. Many voters, especially in the rural areas, are not familiar with the voting process, how to mark one’s ballot, secrecy of the vote, etc. In both the first and second rounds, SHARE’s national and long-term international observers noticed a lack of citizen education about the voting process.
Other recommendations include increased training for and control of polling station workers, ensuring their DUIs are valid and addresses listed are within the parameters to work in that particular polling place; greater respect for the secrecy of the vote; using pens with ink that is not visible through the ballot, and a more thorough orientation for poll workers, to make sure they comply with legal norms and can complete the tasks at hand.
At the end of the entire process, upon the transmission of the final results, El Salvador has made great strides in democracy and carrying out the electoral process. SHARE, together with other international bodies who have already published their reports, recognizes the TSE’s profound transparency in the entire process.
