Seattle CISPES had for delegates who traveled to El Salvador to serve as accredited observers to the Feb. 2 election. The delegates will speak about the trip on Feb. 18. The following are selections from the El Salvador 2014 Elections Blog: News and International Observer Reports from El Salvador’s 2014 Presidential Election.
“US Embassy Congratulates El Salvador for ‘Orderly and Transparent’ Elections”: On Monday, February 3, the US Embassy in El Salvador released a press statement congratulating the people of El Salvador for an “orderly and transparent” Election Day. The international solidarity community welcomed this statement, which comes on the heels of a vast grassroots effort to ensure US neutrality in the face of these historic elections…
“President Funes reports that 24 companies have been charged with influencing votes”: Mauricio Funes, President of the Republic, revealed that a total of 24 companies have been charged before the Labor Ministry for coercing their workers to vote for a particular political party in the second round of elections, which is a felony punishable with jail time…
FMLN Announces Plan to Increase Margin of Victory Heading into Second Round”: About 10:45 CST, Salvador Sánchez Cerén held a press conference to express his confidence that if the FMLN doesn’t win tonight in the first round, that their margin of victory will increase on March 9th…
“CISPES Mid-Day Report, Lots of People Coming to Vote, Polling Places are Calm”: CISPES observers report high voter turnout, as well as a calm environment. Several observers have commented on a lot of support and co-operation among poll workers to make sure that people with disabilities and people with limited mobility are able to vote…
“Ex-President Francisco Flores was Caught Trying to Flee the Country”: Former President Francisco Flores tried to flee the country by crossing the Guatemalan border hidden in a truck on Tuesday, January 28, according to President Mauricio Funes. Flores, who is currently under investigation for embezzling $15 million donated by the Government of Taiwan, failed to appear Tuesday morning for a hearing…
“Left Poised to Win in Upcoming Elections in El Salvador and Costa Rica”: The Tico Times has published an English-language article comparing the two upcoming elections in El Salvador and Costa Rica, both be held on February 2nd. In both countries, the left is poised to possibly win…
“Supreme Court Prohibits Public Functionaries From Campaigning”: This past Friday [January 24], the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court issued a resolution that prohibits public functionaries from participating in a current presidential campaign, regardless of whether they do so outside of work hours…