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Press Release from the OAS Electoral Observation Mission in El Salvador

The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (EOM/OAS) to the legislative, municipal, and Central American Parliament (Parlacen) elections in El Salvador, at the conclusion of the voting of March 1, highlights the exemplary civic spirit of the Salvadoran citizenry; the commitment and spirit of service of the members of the Vote Receiving Boards (JRV, for their initials in Spanish); of the party monitors and security officials; and finally the responsibility and calm of the political parties. These factors, combined with the behavior of the media and the respectful distance maintained by the members of the Executive Power during the campaign, contributed to guaranteeing the atmosphere of calm and normalcy that characterized the elections. These actions are a demonstration of the will of the Salvadoran people to consolidate and deepen their democratic process.

From the perspective of the Mission, the problems presented during the elections were a product of administrative and management limitations, rather than of bad faith or of premeditated intention to alter the expression of the popular will. The isolated incidents observed are often seen in complex electoral processes.

The EOM/OAS witnessed insufficient training of JRV members, a lack of order and delay in vote counting and problems in data transmission. These issues were a consequence, among other issues, of the introduction of the modality of mixed voting once the elections were convened and with the electoral calendar well advanced; of financial restrictions; and finally, of the limited time in office of the new Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

The Mission, composed of 60 experts and observers, visited 389 voting centers in 14 departments, from the opening until the closing of the centers. The information reported by the members of the Missions indicates that, despite delays in the distribution, all of the JRVs observed had the necessary materials for the exercise of the vote.

The EOM/OAS will remain in the country until the final vote count. The verbal report that it will deliver to the OAS Permanent Council will include both the registry of the incidents and results of the electoral process it observed, and the recommendations it deems opportune to deliver.

The Salvadoran electoral system has faced tests and challenges. The EOM/OAS considers that the National Dialogue convened by the President of the Republic is the ideal space to analyze reforms to the political-electoral system of El Salvador.

The Mission would like to express its gratitude for the financial contributions of Argentina, Spain, the United States, France, Israel and Luxembourg that made its deployment possible.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-062/15