Day 3: Election Day

Election Day On March 15th, SANN's delegation participated as international election observers as Salvadorans went to the polls to elect their new president. Members of the delegation split into two groups to observe and monitor elections in two of the largest voting centers in the nation's capital of San Salvador, with the purpose of helping to ensure that a democratic process was respected that day and to denounce any irregularities that may have occurred. Voting Irregularities There were concerns the day of election that measures could be taken by the dominant right wing party that could compromise the electoral process. One of the principal fears leading up to the election was that fraud would once again play a key role in securing a victory for the right wing party. Nonetheless, voting began smoothly that morning with no major incidences of disturbances reported throughout the day and voting centers in and around San Salvador closed peacefully. However, a few irregularities were reported, including mismatching identification cards with voter registries and the possible busing in of non-Salvadorans citizens to vote. Campaign of Fear Many were also concerned that the campaign of fear launched by the conservative party would deter supporters from voting for the leftist candidate. Leading up to the election the National Republican Alliance (ARENA) party and its candidate, Rodrigo Avilas, had concentrated its efforts in scarring the Salvadoran population into voting against the Farabundo Marti National Liberation (FMLN) party and their candidate, Mauricio Funes. Media advertisements and billboards claimed that a leftist Salvadoran government would be a puppet government for other Latin American leaders like that of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. ARENA also attempted to inject fear that the Temporary Protection Status, a special immigration status extended to Salvadorans after a devastating earthquake in 2001, would be terminated if Funes was elected. Salvadorans Vote Despite this campaign of fear, Salvadorans came out to vote in mass with about 70% of the eligible voters voting in the presidential election. Rumors during the day pointed to a lead for the leftist candidate Mauricio Funes and the FMLN, the once guerrilla force turn political party with the signing of Peace Accords in 1992. Supporters of the right wing candidate, Rodrigo Avilas, seemed to sense that their candidate was poised to loose the election that would end 20 years of the party's government rule. During the day supporters of the conservative party did not have the same celebratory spirit as those voting for Funes and the FMLN, who were celebrating in the streets loudly, that gave one the feeling that they had accepted defeat even before the first election results were released. Election Results At 7pm the Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced that with 30% of the votes counted the leftist FMLN party was leading. And at 9pm Mauricio Funes announced his presidential victory by a small margin of 51% to his opponents 49% in front of the international press before going on to join thousands of his supporters in a public celebration. Funes and FMLN Supporters Celebrate Supporters of Funes and the FMLN were absolutely electric when the Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced the first election results. Old FMLN party members and those that have been involved in the party's struggle for decades rejoiced with tears, finally convinced that reports of an FMLN advantage during the day were indeed true and the energy of a younger generation was ignited with chants and cheers that lasted well into the morning hours. For many the victory of Funes was a long awaited vindication for the enormous suffering and pain suffered by the Salvadoran people at the hands of the right wing government and military rule that preceded it; for others it means a new political direction for the country, one that many hope will address the pressing economic, social, and political concerns of the nation's poor majority.