Rep. McGovern becomes 2nd congressperson to support the Electoral Tribunal

By CISPES

Joining Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) is now the 2nd U.S. congressperson to publish a statement commending El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) for its “professionalism” and calling El Salvador’s elections “orderly, peaceful, free and fair.” McGovern also called on all political parties exercise “patience, calm and professionalism.” Rep. McGovern’s statements come as a result of a grassroots campaign to bolster international support for the TSE as it faces a right-wing assault from the losing ARENA party. Call your representative to ask that s/he join Reps. McGovern and Moran in making a public declaration in support of democracy in El Salvador.

Read the full text below.

U.S. Congressman applauds the Electoral Tribunal for final vote count

By CISPES

Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) issued this bilingual statement  congratulating the Salvadoran people on their democratic election, applauding the Supreme Electoral Tribunal for its impartial and transparent management of the elections – especially the final vote count – and expressing his enthusiasm to continue good relations with El Salvador’s next president.

Read his full statement below:

Senators call on John Kerry to declare US neutrality in El Salvador’s elections

Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (Photo: The Roanoke Times)

by CISPES

Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Marc Warner sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday, January 24, asking him to, “[make] clear that the U.S. government will work closely with any candidate who wins fair elections.”  Their letter  affirmed that doing this would be a step towards supporting a “free, fair and transparent vote.”

Virginia is home to 123,800 Salvadorans.  The 2014 presidential election will be the first election in El Salvador in which Salvadorans living abroad can participate through absentee voting.