VZCZCXYZ0000
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 
 
¶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