The Cleveland-based InterReligious Task Force on Central America is recruiting election monitors to go to El Salvador for the March elections
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Election observers still desparately needed. Consider joining the IRTF/CIS
Election Observer Mission
Delegation to El Salvador
March 6-14, 2006
} Learn about the political, social and economic reality of El Salvador.
} Help to strengthen the democratic process.
} Contribute to free and fair elections & promote people-to-people solidarity.
The 2006 elections determine El Salvador’s 262 municipal mayors, city council members, and deputies (congresspeople) in the Legislative Assembly for the next 3 years. Fourteen years after the Peace Accords, El Salvador’s democratic process is fragile at best. While elections have been carried out with some reforms, 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. Democracy depends on a transparent election processwhich the presence of international observers helps guarantee. Reports from previous observer missions have been adopted for election reforms by the Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
In 2004, a new national identity card/voter registration was used for the first time, cleaning up some past weaknesses, such as dead people voting and identity theft.
Still, problems exist:
— no laws govern political parties or campaign contributions
— no residential voting (i.e., vote closest to where you live)
— no private voting is guaranteed
Grassroots groups in El Salvador ask for international observers to:
— witness potential violations before and during the elections.
— provide a presence in order to diminish political intimidation and violence.
— call for implementation of election reforms, including residential voting, to guarantee a transparent process and participation.
The delegation organizer in El Salvador is CIS (Center for Exchange and Solidarity). Pre- and post- delegation sessions are coordinated in Cleveland by IRTF. In-country participation cost: $625, incl. coordination, translation, observer training, receptions, local transportation, food & housing. Purchase your own flight separately.
$100 deposit and application (see below) due February 25, 2006.
Checks payable to IRTF: 3606 Bridge Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113. (Optional: add $50 for CIS Civic Education Fund).
For more information, contact:
IRTF-InterReligious Task Force on Central America
http://www.irtfcleveland.org/ 216/961-0003 irtf@igc.org