Observer Report from U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities

by U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities

The following information is a compilation of Salvadoran news reports and observations from our allied organizations:

On Tuesday March 11th,  the Supreme Electoral Tribunal began a process of revising the 21 forms that could not be counted in the Tribunal’s preliminary results, which showed the FMLN ahead of ARENA by 6, 634 votes (50.11% vs. 49.89%).

TSE Magistrate Receiving Death Threats

by CISPES

This morning, Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) magistrate Walter Araujo announced on Twitter that he was receiving death threats and would hold ARENA accountable for any physical attack against him. Araujo is a former member of ARENA who left the party in September 2013.

Translation: “As of this moment I hold the ARENA party accountable for any physical attacks against me, I am receiving threats and intimidating statements!!”

 

FMLN Leader Calls for Collaboration, Dialogue and Respect for Institutions

by CISPES

In a press conference this morning, President-elect, Salvador Sánchez Cerén stated his commitment to respecting the will of the Salvadoran people and to working in collaboration with all of the country’s social sectors in developing a national agenda. He reiterated his commitment to respecting whichever official result is issued by the Salvadoran Supreme Electoral Tribunal, El Salvador’s electoral authority. Sánchez Cerén called upon ARENA leaders to work alongside the FMLN in the construction of a national agenda, stating that the mandate given by the voters requires their collaboration and dialogue. Moreover, Sánchez Cerén affirmed his commitment to governing El Salvador in a transparent, ethical and honest way that respects the country’s democratic institutions like the TSE.

TSE President Assures Recount is Legally Unwarranted

by CISPES

This morning, the President of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Eugenio Chicas, held a press conference to defend the electoral process as rapid, secure, and transparent in the face of right-wing challenges. Chicas made it clear that the reason for the delay in confirming the final results of yesterday’s elections was not due to anomalies within the electoral process itself, but that rather, “the problem was political actors that could not agree on some of the count votes.”  There are some fourteen official closing forms or “acts,” upon which the final count from a particular voting table is registered, that have not been processed, and an additional seven that show irregularities and are currently being reviewed case-by-case.

Chicas also made clear that there would be no recount of votes, as Article 215 of the Electoral Code stipulates that in order to perform a recount, the number of challenged votes must be greater than the number of votes that comprise the preliminary difference between the two parties. The challenged votes only total 4,191 votes, which is less than the 6,634 vote difference between the FMLN and ARENA, and thus a recount is not called for.

Preliminary Results and Analysis from U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities

by U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities

As of 10:30 PM on Sunday, March 9^th, the preliminary results confirmed by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) showed the FMLN ahead of ARENA by .22% (approximately 7,000 votes) with 50.11% of the almost 3 million votes cast and ARENA with 49.89% of the vote. 14 vote receiving tables had final vote counts (actas) that were unable to be processed last night because of administrative mistakes like a missing signature or a miscalculation. The closeness of the results combined with these unprocessed actas prompted the TSE to reverse their declaration made earlier yesterday that they would announce the results by 10 PM. Instead, the votes will go into a “final scrutiny,” and the official results won’t be announced until today or possibly Tuesday.

Update from SHARE Observers

by SHARE

In the voting center, Escuela de Ecuador, it seemed that the members of JRVs started the day nervously, but during the course of the morning as people began voting, JRV workers carried out their duty with a greater degree of calm. Among the incidents that occurred at the polls are: JRV 257, induction vote by the wife of one of the voters; JRV 251, the secretary signing and stamping several ballots early; JRV 247, lack of consensus among JRV staff regarding a young man who came to vote with a slightly cracked DUI and therefore was not being allowed to vote. Staff members proceeded to allow others to vote and said they would then solve the case, but the young man waited an hour and a half and staff did not resolve the issue. The young man left, unable to cast his vote. Additionally, another person with a torn DUI that had been taped together was not allowed to vote at JRV 254.

Polls are now closed, vote count about to begin

by CISPES

The polls are now closed and the vote count is about to begin. While an official voter turnout report has not been released yet, the media is reporting a higher voter turnout than the first round.  Follow the results from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal here: http://elecciones2014.tse.gob.sv/inicio.htm

Update from CISPES Observers

by CISPES

According to observer reports, there has been a high voter turnout and although there’s has been minor problems ; overall it has been a peaceful process for voters. CISPES observers are currently getting ready for polls to close, stay tune for more updates.

Denuncia: CISPES Observers Receiving Anti-FMLN Text Messages

by CISPES

CISPES observers reported receiving text messages (see below) asking voters to think wisely about who they vote for. Although it is unclear who sent out the text message, they were mostly received by people connected with the Claro Network, which is part of America Movil, owned by telecommunication magnate Carlos Slim. This is obviously an attempt by the right to intimidate voters.

Text message reads: “Think about it: Attorney General has confirmed that the FMLN government paid gang members to sign the gang truce, which has increased the amount of crime, disappearances, assaults, and extortions. PASS IT ON”

Observer Report from SHARE

by SHARE

SHARE Observers

Yesterday a group of our delegates traveled to El puerto de la Libertad to do observation, now they are in the Polls “Centro Escolar La Libertad” they reported that there are members of the JEM, Attorney general of the Republic, the center is in good condition , opened at 5:00 am to allow members of the JRV enter, JRVs were installed quickly and were ready to receive voters before 7:00 am./Ayer un grupo de nuestros delegados viajo a la libertad para hacer observación, ahora se encuentran en el Centro de Votación “Centro Escolar la libertad” ellos manifestaron que hay miembros de la JEM, Fiscalía general de la República, el centro se encuentra en buenas condiciones, abrieron a las 5:00 am para permitir entrar a los miembros de la JRV, las JRVs se instalaron rápido y estuvieron listos para recibir a los votantes antes de las 7:00 am.