CIS 10TH  INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION

Become an International Election Observer

2014 Presidential Election – El Salvador

January 27th – Feb.  4th, 2014

March 3rd – 11th, 2014 (dates if there is a run off election)

Long term volunteers are also needed!!!

Be an observer of El Salvador’s 2014 Presidential Election scheduled for Feb. 2nd, 2014 and a potential run off March 9th if no candidate receives 50% +1 vote in the first round.  Participate in a political experience outside your own country.  No Spanish is required.

Mission: To Contribute to free and fair elections; generate a safe environment to stimulate democratic participation; observe and inform about the implementation of election reforms; deepen our understanding of the social and economic structures that govern the country and their impact; to promote people-to-people solidarity.

What is Election Observation with the CIS?

The work of the CIS observer mission serves as an objective base of information, used as a foundation for debate on election reforms by both the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Legislative Assembly.  Democracy depends on the transparency of the election process, which the presence of international observers can help guarantee.  The CIS mission is respected across the political spectrum because of its objectivity and is recognized as one of the few missions that are not controlled by political interests.

International Observers work as part of a team with CIS Staff and Election Volunteers to learn about electoral reform, to understand the political panorama, to begin prepare to observe, to meet with political parties and electoral officials, and much more.

Observers receive thorough training and analyze the political reality of El Salvador to prepare to play a crucial role in information gathering on Election Day. Observers visit and exchange with community organizations building democratic participation on a daily basis, with an emphasis on the participation of women and youth - both to acquire the perspective of the common voter and to build international solidarity ties with the important transformation processes taking place within the country. Translation is provided.

CIS observers then spend three days in the municipality in which they are to observe, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the specific socio-political context, in order to provide in depth objective observation of the process the day of the elections. The CIS observer mission focuses on large, medium and small municipalities and covers a spectrum of where different political parties govern locally.  After the election, observers participate in a debrief to share experiences and help compile information for an official report.

Why International Election Observation?

Communities, electoral organizations including the TSE, civic organizations, 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 reduce political intimidation and violence.
• To support the call for implementation of election reforms.

• To monitor the implementation and impact of important reforms in building greater transparency in the electoral process.

Additionally the CIS Mission produces a final report which is presented to the Supreme Election Tribunal, the Commission on Electoral and Constitutional Reforms of the Legislative Assembly, Political Parties, as well as other important actors, as a tool to study the electoral processes and to continue to implement electoral reforms. The presence of international observers in itself contributes to transparency, deters fraud, and builds voter confidence, especially in rural areas where the divisions and wounds of the war are still very present.

Not just election observation

The objectives of the CIS Election Observer Mission are to not only contribute to free and fair elections, but to educate observers about the Salvadoran national reality in an international context, and to build solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

Observer Participation and Dates

The CIS is organizing 2 rounds of observation for our 10^th International Election Observer Mission, with the assumption there will be two rounds:

• January 27th (arrive on morning or midday flight)– February 4^th, 2014 (depart afternoon or evening flight)
• March 3rd (arrive on morning or midday flight – March 11th, 2014 (depart afternoon or evening flight)

The Observer Program Officially begins with ORIENTATION at 3 pm. on Monday and officially ends after a PRESS CONFERENCE at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning of the following week, for this reason we ask you to not arrive at night or depart on the early morning flight of the scheduled arrival and departure dates.  If you arrive on previous date or stay past departure date, you will be required to assume any extra meals or extra night stays at the hotel.

We would like to emphasize the first election will be much more important for international observation.  First of all, the first round will be more complicated – there will be more candidates and residential voting will be implemented for the first time in 177 municipalities.  There will also be an opportunity to observe the counting of ballots from abroad for the first time.  It will be an opportunity for observers to publicly make observations that will improve and overcome any anomalies or difficulties in the first round.  The second round will be much simpler with only 2 candidates and the Salvadoran election machinery will be well oiled after the first round.    In 2009 when there were elections in January and March, the January elections were fraught with difficulties that CIS and other observers made public in time for them to be corrected and the March elections went extremely smoothly.   If you can only attend one election, we urge you to participate in the first round where you will have a bigger impact.

To make this observer mission work, the CIS needs to recruit long term volunteers as well, to be able to build relationships with Political Parties on the National, departmental and municipal level, coordinate with local community organizations, as well as be able to learn the Electoral Code and Process to be able to guide observers during the 2 eight day missions.

Program Fees

January 27th – February 4th, 2014

$700 per person - shared room (3 – 5 people)

$800 per person - double room (2 people)

$900 per person - single room (1 person)

March 3 – March 11, 2014 (if there is a runoff) – we ask those observers who are able to return or to consider staying in El Salvador for the runoff election.  The mission cost will be the same, but a $200 discount will be offered to people who participate in both missions)

Special pre-election Spanish program focused on Election Mission and terminology:

January 12 – 27, 2014 

$550 includes home stay, breakfast and dinner, Spanish classes and afternoon program.  Does not include lunch or in country transportation.  January 12 is arrival date.

Special Spanish program will also available for $275 per week, between the first and second elections. This includes 7 nights housing, breakfast and dinner 5 days of Spanish classes, and afternoon election related or cultural activities.   You will be responsible for extra housing and meals between the end of the observer mission Feb. 5 and the start of the Spanish program Feb. 9^th if you decide to stay in the country, and prices would vary if you stay with a host family ($12.85 /night including breakfast and dinner) or in Guest House ($17 - $35/night and includes breakfast). 

Dates for interim Special Spanish Program

• Feb 9 – 16,
• Feb 16 – 23,
• and Feb. 23 – March 2^nd, 2014.

How to apply:

To apply please send application with an electronic passport photo and email as an attachment to:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Centro De Intercambio Y Solidaridad – CIS

10th INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION

General Information for Observers and Volunteers

2014 Presidential Election in El Salvador

February 2, 2014 and possible run-off election – March 9, 2014

Introduction

Since the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992 the CIS International Election Observer Mission has secured a firm and respected reputation both within El Salvador and abroad through its dedicated, professional, and commitment to the El Salvadoran election process. The CIS is one of the only organizations that has coordinated international observers in every election since the signing of the accords, and the election observation reports, issued by the CIS following the elections, have consistently been used as a foundation for debate on electoral reform by the Legislative Assembly, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), and other electoral institutions and organizations.

El Salvador’s Presidential Elections in 2014. Legislative and Municipal Elections will take place in 2015.  We need both long term volunteers (three - nine month commitment) and short term election observers (for the week of the elections) and we are currently recruiting observers and volunteers to prepare for and observe the 2014 election. CIS International Volunteers and Observers will have the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the political systems and processes, as well as contributing to the continued advance of free and fair democratic participation within El Salvador.  

Context

The country will elect the President and Vice President of the Republic, on February 2, 2014.  If no candidate wins 50% +1 vote in the first round, a run-off election between the two top vote getting candidates is scheduled for March 9, 2014. A run-off election appears likely given that 3 strong candidates are participating.  Current Mayor elect of San Salvador, Norman Quijano is the candidate for the ARENA party.  Current Vice President elect of the Republic of El Salvador, Salvador Sanchez Cerén, is the candidate for the FMLN party, and former President elect, Elias Antonio Saca, is the candidate for Unity, a coalition of GANA, PDC, and the PCN political parties.  Even though the campaign official begins October 1, 2013, it is clear the campaign is already in full swing.

In these elections two important reforms will be implemented.  For the first time, residential voting will be carried out in 100% of the country, meaning voting will be closer to where people live and strengthen transparency.  Also, for the first time, Salvadorans who live outside the country will be able to vote.

International Election Observation Mission Overview

Mission: To Contribute to free and fair elections; generate a safe environment to stimulate democratic participation; observe and inform about the implementation of election reforms; deepen our understanding of the social and economic structures that govern the country and their impact; to promote people-to-people solidarity.

Why International Election Observation?

• 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 reduce political intimidation and violence.
• To support the call for implementation of election reforms.

• To monitor the implementation and impact of important reforms in building greater transparency in the electoral process.

The CIS Mission produces a final report which is presented to the Supreme Election Tribunal, the Commission on Electoral and Constitutional Reforms of the Legislative Assembly, Political Parties, as well as other important actors, as a tool to study the electoral processes and to continue to implement electoral reforms. The presence of international observers in itself contributes to transparency, deters fraud, and builds voter confidence, especially in rural areas where the divisions and wounds of the war are still very present.

Democracy depends on the transparency of the election process, which the presence of international observers can help guarantee.  The CIS mission is respected across the political spectrum because of its objectivity and is recognized as one of the few missions that are not controlled by political interests.

What is Election Observation with the CIS?

The work of the CIS observer mission serves as an objective base of information, used as a foundation for debate on election reforms by both the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the Legislative Assembly. Observers and volunteers receive thorough training and analyze the political reality of El Salvador to prepare them to play a crucial role in information gathering on Election Day. Observers visit and exchange with community organizations building democratic participation on a daily basis, with an emphasis on the participation of women and youth, both to acquire the perspective of the common voter and to build international solidarity ties with the important transformation processes taking place within the country.

Week long CIS observers receive thorough training before spending three days in the municipality in which they are to observe, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the specific socio-political context, in order to provide in depth objective observation of the process the day of the elections. The CIS observer mission focuses on large, medium and small municipalities and covers a spectrum of where different political parties govern.

The objectives of the CIS Election Observer Mission are to not only contribute to free and fair elections, but to educate observers about the Salvadoran national reality in an international context, and to build solidarity with the people of El Salvador.

As a volunteer or an observer you will have the opportunity to meet with candidates, grassroots organizations, embassy officials, top political and economic analysts, members of political parties, and many more.

Observer Participation and dates:

The CIS is organizing 2 rounds of observation for our 10^th International Election Observer Mission, with the assumption there will be two rounds:

• January 27^th– February 4^th, 2014 and
• March 3rd – March 11^th, 2014

However, we would like to emphasize the first election will be much more important for international observation.  First of all, the first round will be more complicated – there will be more candidates and reforms will be implemented in over ½ the country for the first time.  It will be an opportunity for observers to publicly make observations that will improve and overcome any anomalies or difficulties in the first round.  The second round will be much simpler with only 2 candidates and the Salvadoran election machinery will be well oiled after the first round.    In 2009 when there were elections in January and March, the January elections were fraught with difficulties that CIS and other observers made public in time for them to be corrected and the March elections went extremely smoothly.   If you can only attend one election, we urge you to participate in the first round where you will have a bigger impact.

To make this observer mission work, the CIS needs to recruit long term volunteers as well, to be able to build relationships with Political Parties on the National, departmental and municipal level, coordinate with local community organizations, as well as be able to learn the Electoral Code and Process to be able to guide observers during the 2 eight day missions.

Long Term Volunteers: (must speak Spanish). Long term volunteers are required to pay their living expenses, but all program fees are waved.

• November  2, 2013 – April 1, 2014
• January 2, 2014- April 1, 2014
• Volunteers of both start dates with the ability to investigate analyze and good writing skills in English or Spanish are invited to stay on with the mission until July 2, 2014, to help compile and write the final report.

Short Term Election Observers:  (Spanish not required)

The fee of $700, $800, or $900 covers all in country expenses for shared (3-5), double or single room, food, transportation, training, materials, and complete program including translation.  Observers with their own housing arrangements pay $575.

• January 27th – February 4th , 2014
• March 3rd – March 11th, 2014 (if there is a runoff)

For more information:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The CIS International Election Observer Mission is unique in that we are the only organization that has organized international observers in every election since the Peace Accords were signed.  All 10 final reports, which the CIS has issued, following the elections have been used consistently as a foundation for debate about election reforms by the Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.  There are two elections coming up: 2014 Presidential Elections and 2015 elections for Mayor and City Council as well as Representation in the Legislative Assembly. International Observers in the 2013 and 2014 elections will have the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the political system in El Salvador and how it continues to evolve.  For both elections we need long term volunteer (minimum three month commitment) and elections observers for the week of the elections.

Mission: To Contribute to free and fair elections; generate a safe environment to stimulate democratic participation; observe and inform about the implementation of election reforms; deepen our understanding of social and economic structures that govern the country and their impact and to promote people-to-people solidarity.

2012 Observation Mission

       Summary of Final Report

       Final Report in Spanish

2009 Observation Mission

2006 Observation Mission

2004 Observation Mission