The electoral observation mission from the Organization of American States (OAS), which observed the Municipal and Legislative elections in El Salvador on January 18, issued recommendations for the upcoming presidential election on March 15 to the Council of the OAS, Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), and Salvadoran society. While the official report on their observations will be released after the presidential election, the OAS has offered several suggestions immediately implementable for the presidential election that will allow for a smoother and more democratic election.
Among the recommendations to the TSE, the government body that oversees elections and institutes election reform, are:
• The better functioning of electoral organizations like the Vote Receiving Board (JRV),
• Assuring ballot secrecy,
• Preventing parties from illegally campaigning in the voting centers, • Opening the polls on time at 7 a.m,
• Releasing polling results in a timely manner.
The electoral observation mission called for the TSE to prevent overcrowding at the polling places, which will allow immediate improvements in the categories stated above. Overcrowding diminishes ballot secrecy, is conducive for intimidation by bosses, and vote buying.
Posted by Leslie O’Bray, SHARE Grassroots Education and Advocacy Intern
Filed under: News
