Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SANSALVADOR738
2008-06-20 21:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:
FMLN CRITICIZES SALVADORAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSN #0738/01 1722145 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 202145Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9672 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000738
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN HILLARY THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ES
SUBJECT: FMLN CRITICIZES SALVADORAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000738
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN HILLARY THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ES
SUBJECT: FMLN CRITICIZES SALVADORAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM
1. (U) Summary: The Farabundo Marti Front for the National
Liberation (FMLN) hosted representatives from the diplomatic
community to hear its perspective and analysis ahead of the
2009 legislative and presidential elections. The FMLN
criticized the government's failure to carry out OAS
recommendations for electoral reform. End Summary.
FMLN QUESTIONS ELECTORAL SYSTEM'S INTEGRITY
--------------
2. (U) On June 4, the Farabundo Marti Front for the National
Liberation (FMLN) invited members of the diplomatic community
to a briefing in which party representatives criticized the
government,s failure to implement recommendations for
electoral reform published by the Organization of American
States (OAS) in December 2007, and expressed concern
regarding the fairness of the upcoming 2009 legislative,
municipal and presidential elections. The event was led by
Blanca Flor AMERICA Bonilla, FMLN Deputy in the Legislative
Assembly; Eugenio Chicas Martinez, FMLN representative on the
Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE); and Sigfrido Reyes, FMLN
Director of International Relations and National Assembly
Deputy. Ambassadors or representatives from Spain, Italy,
Germany, the Vatican, Taiwan, Nicaragua, Canada, Chile,
Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Dominican Republic and Guatemala
attended.
3. (U) Reyes claimed that the Saca administration and the
ruling Nationalist Republican Alliance party (ARENA) had
politicized government agencies, including the Attorney
General's Office, and had failed to implement the OAS's
recommendations. He characterized the electoral process as
unfair due to the lack of financial disclosure laws. Reyes
stated that FMLN would not unilaterally disclose its party
financing due to a fear of retaliation against supporters.
Chicas asserted that, at present, the current government has
not implemented OAS recommendations for improving voter
registration.
CENSUS INFORMATION AND ELECTORAL LAW
--------------
4. (U) The Salvadoran Constitution requires proportional
representation in the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly.
Chicas called for an amendment to the Salvadoran Electoral
Code to reflect the demographic changes identified in the
latest census. However, Chicas stated that election laws
should not be changed in the run-up to the 2009 elections.
BACKGROUND ON OAS REPORT
--------------
5. (U) In December 2007, the OAS issued a report validating
the Salvadoran electoral registry, but recommended reforms to
be implemented between January and June 2008 in anticipation
of the 2009 elections. The Salvadoran electoral registry
compiles information from the National Registry of Natural
Persons, containing the identities of Salvadorans aged 18
(the age of suffrage) and older. It also incorporated data
regarding births and deaths submitted by El Salvador's 262
municipalities, and information from the courts pertaining to
criminals whose penalties prohibit them from voting.
6. (U) The OAS concluded that most of the irregularities stem
from the lack of enforcement of current laws. Therefore, the
OAS recommended standardizing procedures in the 262
municipalities in coordinating with the National Registry of
Natural Persons to fulfill reporting requirements. It also
recommended simplifying and standardizing procedures in the
TSE database as well as the National Registry of Natural
Persons. Additionally, the OAS recommended auditing the TSE
for better control of the creation processing of the National
Electoral Registry.
7. (SBU) Comment: As the OAS report demonstrated, the
Salvadoran electoral registry has deficiencies. However,
time is short to make serious change and there is no
information to suggest that the current weaknesses favor any
one political party. The TSE has representation of three
political parties, including both the FMLN and ARENA.
Nonetheless, we believe the FMLN, by expressing concerns now,
is also laying the groundwork to cry foul should it lose a
close election. The FMLN presentation highlights the need
for good international observation to ensure the credibility
of the process with the parties and the citizenry in the
event of a close result. Note: USAID plans to fund the
National Democratic Institute to carry out systemic electoral
observation, as well as a candidate training program to be
carried out by the International Republican Institute. End
Comment.
GLAZER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN HILLARY THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ES
SUBJECT: FMLN CRITICIZES SALVADORAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM
1. (U) Summary: The Farabundo Marti Front for the National
Liberation (FMLN) hosted representatives from the diplomatic
community to hear its perspective and analysis ahead of the
2009 legislative and presidential elections. The FMLN
criticized the government's failure to carry out OAS
recommendations for electoral reform. End Summary.
FMLN QUESTIONS ELECTORAL SYSTEM'S INTEGRITY
--------------
2. (U) On June 4, the Farabundo Marti Front for the National
Liberation (FMLN) invited members of the diplomatic community
to a briefing in which party representatives criticized the
government,s failure to implement recommendations for
electoral reform published by the Organization of American
States (OAS) in December 2007, and expressed concern
regarding the fairness of the upcoming 2009 legislative,
municipal and presidential elections. The event was led by
Blanca Flor AMERICA Bonilla, FMLN Deputy in the Legislative
Assembly; Eugenio Chicas Martinez, FMLN representative on the
Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE); and Sigfrido Reyes, FMLN
Director of International Relations and National Assembly
Deputy. Ambassadors or representatives from Spain, Italy,
Germany, the Vatican, Taiwan, Nicaragua, Canada, Chile,
Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Dominican Republic and Guatemala
attended.
3. (U) Reyes claimed that the Saca administration and the
ruling Nationalist Republican Alliance party (ARENA) had
politicized government agencies, including the Attorney
General's Office, and had failed to implement the OAS's
recommendations. He characterized the electoral process as
unfair due to the lack of financial disclosure laws. Reyes
stated that FMLN would not unilaterally disclose its party
financing due to a fear of retaliation against supporters.
Chicas asserted that, at present, the current government has
not implemented OAS recommendations for improving voter
registration.
CENSUS INFORMATION AND ELECTORAL LAW
--------------
4. (U) The Salvadoran Constitution requires proportional
representation in the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly.
Chicas called for an amendment to the Salvadoran Electoral
Code to reflect the demographic changes identified in the
latest census. However, Chicas stated that election laws
should not be changed in the run-up to the 2009 elections.
BACKGROUND ON OAS REPORT
--------------
5. (U) In December 2007, the OAS issued a report validating
the Salvadoran electoral registry, but recommended reforms to
be implemented between January and June 2008 in anticipation
of the 2009 elections. The Salvadoran electoral registry
compiles information from the National Registry of Natural
Persons, containing the identities of Salvadorans aged 18
(the age of suffrage) and older. It also incorporated data
regarding births and deaths submitted by El Salvador's 262
municipalities, and information from the courts pertaining to
criminals whose penalties prohibit them from voting.
6. (U) The OAS concluded that most of the irregularities stem
from the lack of enforcement of current laws. Therefore, the
OAS recommended standardizing procedures in the 262
municipalities in coordinating with the National Registry of
Natural Persons to fulfill reporting requirements. It also
recommended simplifying and standardizing procedures in the
TSE database as well as the National Registry of Natural
Persons. Additionally, the OAS recommended auditing the TSE
for better control of the creation processing of the National
Electoral Registry.
7. (SBU) Comment: As the OAS report demonstrated, the
Salvadoran electoral registry has deficiencies. However,
time is short to make serious change and there is no
information to suggest that the current weaknesses favor any
one political party. The TSE has representation of three
political parties, including both the FMLN and ARENA.
Nonetheless, we believe the FMLN, by expressing concerns now,
is also laying the groundwork to cry foul should it lose a
close election. The FMLN presentation highlights the need
for good international observation to ensure the credibility
of the process with the parties and the citizenry in the
event of a close result. Note: USAID plans to fund the
National Democratic Institute to carry out systemic electoral
observation, as well as a candidate training program to be
carried out by the International Republican Institute. End
Comment.
GLAZER