Join a
CIS Election Observation Mission

The CIS is one of few entities that has organized volunteer observers from abroad in an election observation mission for every presidential and legislative election in El Salvador since the return of democracy with the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992. El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Salvadoran communities, and local civic and grassroots organizations have continued to ask the CIS to organization observation missions.

The CIS International Election Observer Missions have earned a reputation of respect both in El Salvador and abroad for their professional organization and commitment to a free and fair democratic election process.

Each CIS Mission produces and presents a final report to the Supreme Election Tribunal, the Commission on Electoral and Constitutional Reforms of the Legislative Assembly, major political parties and other stakeholders that assesses and offers recommendations regarding the election proceedings and the implementation of existing electoral reforms.

The findings and recommendations from the CIS’s election observation reports have served to spotlight strengths and weaknesses in the electoral process. They have been used regularly as a basis for electoral reform proposals presented by members of the Legislative Assembly, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), and other electoral institutions and organizations. The CIS has also played a key role in alerting authorities to pre-electoral anomalies that we have observed

Context 2027

Elections for President, legislative deputies, and municipal mayors and council members will be held on February 28, 2027. The electoral process will be similar to that of the previous 2024 elections. Salvadorans residing in El Salvador will vote using paper ballots on election day. Those holding a DUI (identity document) or passport while living abroad will be able to vote by phone up to one month prior to the elections or via computer at polling centers on election day itself.

 It is important to acknowledge that the context in which these elections are taking place is not conducive to a democratic process.  None-the-less, the CIS believes it is important to observe these elections to have historical record, ensure the minority vote is respected as well as noted, and to make recommendations to strengthen representative democracy. 

Agenda

Requeriments and Orientation

Commit to serving as an observer in accordance with international standards, limiting the role of documenting the process without interfering in it.

Bilingualism and/or prior experience as an observer are recommended. (Spanish is not a requirement for short term observers)

It is recommended not to be affiliated with any Salvadoran political party. Salvadoran nationals affiliated with a party have greater influence acting as party poll watchers or serving at polling stations.

Important Note:

CIS also trains long term observers to help coordinate the mission.  Long term observers are required to participate between January 4 and March 31st   to organize work in the territories, be fully trained, and to help systematize recommendations and reporting.

Fluent Spanish is a requirement for long term observers.

Serve as an election observer
in 2027!

Election observers are volunteers who receive specialized training to observe election procedures and identify when they adhere to or violate free and fair election processes, which enables the CIS mission to assess the quality of the elections, issue recommendations, and determine whether or not to certify the election outcomes.

As an election observer, you will contribute to oversight of the electoral process and facilitate a safe environment that enables broad participation.

Application Deadlines

Observers in El Salvador: January 1, 2027

Observers in Salvadoran Consulates abroad: January 1, 2027

Long term Volunteer Observers: December 1, 2026

Payments Due by January 1, 2027

Early payment appreciated to cover organizational expenses and so we can make payments on hotel and in country transportation reservations. 

Observer Application Form 2027

Payments

Can be made by check to:

Los Olivos CIS
PO Box 76
Westmont, IL 60559

or Online:

Refunds*

*Fifty percent of payments can be refunded upon request if cancelations are made two weeks or more prior to January 12th.

CIS makes un-refundable deposits on housing and transportation and other expenses.

Any excess funds will be used for future observer missions or CIS solidarity work.