Overview:

SalvAide is once again calling on Canadians to accompany the Salvadoran electoral process. Be a part of our El Salvador Election Observers Program 2015 from 23 February to 3 March to witness important Legislative Assembly, Municipal Government, and Central American Parliament elections.

Congressional and municipal elections tend to receive less attention, but their results (and assuring a free, fair, and transparent process) are key to the everyday lives of Salvadorans. It is the Legislative Assembly that passes that majority of laws governing everything from health and education to foreign affairs and trade policies, and Municipal Governments are the most immediate form of government to which most Salvadorans have access.

Furthermore, last year's Presidential election saw efforts by the defeated political party, ARENA, to delegitimize its opponent's victory and even saw a call to violence from some of its leadership. The presence of international observers and the consensus conclusion of various missions that the election was conducted fairly and that the FMLN's victory was legitimate were vital to stabilizing a highly polarized situation.

This election will also see the implementation of several reforms, including the election of plural municipal councils, cross-party candidate voting for the Legislative Assembly, and direct voting for the Central American Parliament. With so many key changes to the process, a strong observer presence will help document challenges and successes.

SalvAide’s Election Observers Delegation will bear witness to the electoral process in some of the more than 380 rural communities where SalvAide’s Salvadoran sister social movement organizations, CRIPDES and CORDES, are active. The Delegation’s key objectives are 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 participants’ understanding of El Salvador’s social and economic relations;
• Promote people-to-people solidarity.

Click here for delegation details including how to apply.

For any other information, call us at 613-233-6215 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..