International Election

Observers 2006

Accompanying MAYORAL AND LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Elections and Democratic Participation in El Salvador

The Seventh CIS Election Observer Mission: March 2006

The elections scheduled for 12 March 2006 will determine El Salvador’s 262 municipal elections for Mayor and City Council Members as well as Representation in the Legislative Assembly for the next 3 years. Fourteen years after the signing of the Peace Accords, El Salvador’s democratic process is fragile at best. While the elections in themselves have been carried out and even with some reforms implemented, institutions such as the National Civilian Police (PNC) and the Human Rights Procurators Office (PDDH) are in crisis due to lack of funding and political will to ensure their mission as written in the Peace Accords. Democracy also depends on whether the election process is transparent---which the presence of international observers can help guarantee. The work of the CIS observer mission is a base for objective information that has been used as a basis for election reforms by the Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

In 2004, a new Identity Document and new Voting Register with people’s photographs were used for the first time, cleaning up some of past weaknesses, such as dead people voting and making it more difficult to usurp a voter’s identity. Still, El Salvador does not have laws governing political parties or campaign contributions, requisites for transparent electoral processes. A residential voting process, promised since 1997, has never been implemented. Due to the design and location of voting booths, and voter manipulation, a secret vote is still not guaranteed. These are just some of the observations of past CIS international missions.

The CIS international observer mission is an opportunity to learn in depth about the political, social and economic reality of El Salvador as well as contribute to strengthening the democratic process in El Salvador.

Communities and grassroots development organizations have continued to ask the CIS for international observers to guarantee transparent elections for several reasons:

To observe and provide witness to the electoral process and to potential violations of the electoral code before and during the elections.
To provide a presence in order to diminish political intimidation and violence.
To call for implementation of election reforms, including residential voting, to guarantee a transparent process and participation.

The CIS is organizing its seventh international observer mission for March 6 - 14, 2006. We will focus our observing mission on major cities as well those areas where there is community organization, in which the CIS has relations and/or where there has been a request for accompaniment.

The Principal Objectives of the Mission Are: To contribute to free and fair elections; generate a safe environment to stimulate democratic participation; support organizing for social and economic justice; deepen our understanding of social and economic structures that govern the country and their impact and to promote people-to-people solidarity.

How You Can Participate in the CIS Observing Mission:

Be a 3 – 4 month volunteer for the mission, organizing logistics and meetings in the municipalities where we will observe. Volunteers must be available from January 9 until March 20, 2006 or January 9 until April 30 to contribute to report writing and follow-up and have an advanced level of Spanish. Volunteers are required to cover their own living expenses (housing and food) which will cost about $100 per week. Volunteers can get a discount on Spanish studies. Send us the application below and a letter of intention to: misionelectoral_cis@yahoo.com / attn. Leslie Schuld.
Participate as an observer in the Mission from March 6-14, 2006. The in-country participation cost will be US $575 dollars, which will include coordination, translation, observer training, receptions, local transportation, food and housing. We will accept applications until 6 February 2006. (Please consider sending a check for $625 to include $50 contribution to civic education and voter turn out).
Participate in our intensive observer training/Spanish language/pre-election observation program February 20 – March 6 (arrive Feb 19) prior to the observer program. This program is for people that want to learn Salvadoran election terminology, study Spanish, and strengthen the role of the observer mission by receiving an intensive training on the electoral process, history, political parties, etc. People who participate in this program will see the process in a more in-depth manner, and help set up conditions for the mission. This program will cost $550 includes housing with a Salvadoran family, breakfast and dinner, Spanish language instruction from 8 a.m. -12 p.m., Monday – Friday, and special visits in the afternoon and on weekends. (You will pay $1,125 to cover your stay from February 19 – March 14, including observation program / $1,175 will include $50 suggested contribution for civic education and voter turn out). Please fill out the following application form.
Send a donation to the “CIS Fund for Democratic Participation”, which includes finances for activities concerning participation and transportation for voter turn-out. Checks can be made out to CIS and mailed to CIS / PO BOX 17025 / ST. PAUL, MN. 55117-0025.