SALVADORAN ELECTIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210048-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 5, 2007
• Sequence Number: 48
• Publication Date: March 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/11/05: CIA-RDP85M00363R001403210048-3
`gist
?
A quick reference aid on U.S. foreign relations
Not a comprehensive policy statement
Bureau of Public Affairs ? Department of State
Background: In March 1931, President Duarte of El Salvador
initiated an open democratic electoral process by appointing an
independent elections council to oversee procedures for the election
of a Constituent Assembly in 1982 that would set the stage for a
presidential election in 1983. To insure the widest possible
representation following the Constituent Assembly election on
March 28, seats will be allotted proportionally to the political
parties on the basis of the votes in each district. The assembly
will have broad responsibilities. It is expected to draft a new
_constitut i_ o_n __to es.taoU sh _the ground rules for the 1933
presidential election, and to appoint an interim president who will
form a provisional government until the 1983 elections.
Electoral procedures: Traditionally, Salvadoran elections have been
tainted by ballot rigging, intimidation, or other frauds during the
voting--or simply set aside afterward. In 1972 the opposition
leader Duarte clearly won the election but was arrested, beaten, and
exiled by the military. Measures to preclude such abuses on
March 28 include:
- Registration, ballot preparation, and vote counting procedures
modified to conform with tested practices of modern democratic
societies;
- A pledge by the Salvadoran Government and military to secure
polling places and to protect all citizens wishing to vote;
- A decision that members of the military and security forces may
not vote; and
- Invitations to outside observers from the Organization of American
States (OAS) and foreign countries to monitor the openness and
fairness of the election.
-Electoral participation: .-Parties of-all--political persuasions were
invited to compete in the elections. The traditional parties of the
right, center, and left, including Socialist and Communist parties,
all of whom were eligible under the previous electoral law, were
offered automatic eligibility upon completion of simple registration
procedures. Newly formed parties are participating by meeting
routine procedural requirements. Six political parties are on the
ballot. They represent a broad spectrum of political and economic
programs from traditional free enterprise to cooperative socialism;
all parties stress achievement of peace.
Broad popular support: El Salvador's major peasant unions, includ-
ing the Salvadoran campesino union representing 110,000 farm
? workers, have endorsed the elections, as have most labor, business,
professional, and religious organizations. On February 17, the
Salvadoran Bishops' Conference stated their conviction that "the
elections, in spite of the abnormal circumstances, are a peaceful
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way for the people who have said no to violence to have the oppor-
tunity to express their will. This could be the beginning of a
solution to the armed conflict."
?
opposition from the far left: Despite President Duarte's repeated
invitation to the "armed opposition" to participate in the elec-
tions, the FDR/rMLN--t.he guerrillas and their political organiza-
tion, including the Social Democratic and Communist parties--
refused. They have pledged to sabotage the election, including
threats to mine the roads on election day. They propose instead
that broad negotiations be held on restructuring the government and
the military.
OAS resolution: On December 10, 1981, the OAS passed a resolution
endorsing this electoral process in El Salvador.- The vote was 22-3
(Nicaragua, Grenada, and Mexico voting against).
Foreign observers: A substantial number of countries, as well as
the OAS, plan to send observer teams. The US team is headed by
Senator Nancy Kassebaum and includes two US authorities on election
procedures who have advised the Salvadoran Government on electoral
procedures.
US position: The US supports the elections as a major step enablin
El Salvador to progress toward a free, democratic system. In July
1981, the US offered its good offices to assist the government and
the FUR to begin discussions of the conditions under which the
latter might join the electoral process, including such issues as
security of candidates and equal access to the media. The FDR
rejected the offer. The elections will not end the war, but they
can give the Salvadoran people an opportunity to choose their own
representatives freely and fairly. The US, therefore, supports the
broadly based groups in El Salvador which favor giving the people an
opportunity to experience and develop democracy. The force of
elections offers more hope for Salvadorans than the force of arms.
Norra Howard, Editor, 632-0736
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