Q&A
Application Form
Invitation
to serve as volunteer electoral observers in El Salvador elections of March 21,
2004
Dear
Friends:
On March 21,
2004, the people of El Salvador will go to the polls to elect their nation’s
President and Vice President. The Center for Exchange and Solidarity (Centro de
Intercambio y Solidaridad, or CIS), an experienced Salvadoran non-governmental
organisation that promotes the development of civil society and democracy in
that country, has invited CommonBorders to send a delegation of electoral
observers for this important election.
What
is Common Borders?
CommonBorders
is a community-based group of Victorians that supports the development of civil
society and social justice movements in the Americas. CommonBorders provides
Victorians with the unique opportunity to experience and learn about democratic
processes and social justice movements in other countries while serving as
electoral observers. CommonBorders has organized previous electoral delegations
to the state elections in Nayarit, Mexico (July of 1999), Guatemala's national
elections in November 1999, the Mexican federal elections in July 2000 and the
federal elections in Peru in 2001. CommonBorders also observed El Salvador’s
municipal and legislative elections in March of 2003.
El
Salvador Election Background
The
elections scheduled for 21 March 2004 will determine El Salvador’s President
and Vice President for the next five years. These elections take place within a
new and developing political context in El Salvador. The March 2003 elections
changed the political landscape as, for the first time in history, the left wing
Faribundo Marti Liberation Front (FMLN) party moved from being the main
opposition party to securing a marginal majority of seats in the legislative
assembly. The right wing Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA) party, which
had ruled El Salvador since 1989, became the second largest party. Although the
FMLN possesses a small majority of members in the legislative assembly, movement
towards adopting more moderate social and economic policies has been slowed by
coalition voting amongst the right wing conservative parties in the assembly.
Prior to the
2003 elections, numerous obstacles to citizen participation in the elections
were identified. In particular, electoral reforms agreed to following the
signing of El Salvador’s Peace Accords had not been implemented. Many of these
concerns remain valid for the 2004 presidential elections. In addition,
international observers to the previous elections noted many instances of undue
voter influence and even intimidation and violence in the period leading up to
election day. Numerous irregularities were noted on election day itself, and
concerns regarding the transparency and accuracy of the process remain serious
(for more detailed information, please see the CIS Final Report on the Municipal
and Legislative Elections on the CIS website at ww.cis-elsalvador.org and
CommonBorders’ Final Report at www.commonborders.org).
As a result
of these ongoing conditions of uncertainty, civil society and grassroots
non-governmental organizations in El Salvador are calling for an international
presence in support of free, fair and transparent elections.
CommonBorders
is looking for people interested in being a member of the upcoming delegation to
El Salvador. The size and composition of the delegation is still to be
determined. In general, we are looking for people who represent a broad range of
backgrounds and variety of life experiences. You do not need to be a seasoned
electoral observer to participate!
If you want
to know more about the type of individuals we are looking for, please
click here to read the attached Questions and Answers document.
In
addition, CommonBorders has arranged an information session. Please join
us to hear more about the delegation to El Salvador and meet CommonBorders board
members and delegation coordinators.
Date:
Wednesday, January 7th
Time:
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location:
Michele Pujol Room, Student Union Building, University of Victoria (3800
Finnerty Road, Victoria).
Due to the
nature of the elections, we have set out a number of key requirements for
potential delegates:
·
Preference will be given to those who speak
Spanish at a moderate level and/or have traveled to Latin American and/ or have
previous experience as an electoral observer
·
Delegates must be available to travel to El
Salvador from March 13 to March 24, 2004 (exceptions to the above may be made
depending on individual circumstances)
·
Estimated cost of being a delegate is approximately
$2,500 Can. This figure includes airfare (to be booked and paid for by
individual delegates, although CommonBorders will try to negotiate a group
rate), which will be about $1,200.00. The
remainder covers accommodation, food, on-the-ground transportation,
administration fees, and miscellaneous expenses. CommonBorders will arrange all
logistics and accommodation. Costs
may be higher if additional travel within El Salvador is required. Delegates are
expected to assist with group fundraising activities which in turn will help to
defray overall individual costs. A sliding scale may be considered under certain
circumstances. CommonBorders can
provide extra support to individual fundraising efforts for candidates in
financial need
·
Delegates will be required to attend two
pre-departure training sessions and participate in self-directed seminars as
part of our preparation as electoral observers.
If
you would like to be a member of this delegation please complete the attached
application form and return it care of Linda Shout via:
Email: elections@commonborders.org
Fax: (250) 388-0936 (this is a phone/fax, so please
call before faxing)
Mail: 1117A May Street, Victoria BC
V8V 2S6
Please
do not hesitate to contact Linda by e-mail or phone at (250) 370-9879 if you
have any further questions about the delegation.
·
Applications must be completed and returned no
later than Wednesday January 14th
·
Interviews of applicants, if required, will be
held on Saturday, January 17th or Sunday January 18th at a
time and location to be confirmed
·
A non-refundable $250 deposit cheque will be
required of selected delegates by January 31st.
CommonBorders
is excited and looking forward to this opportunity to travel, learn and witness
this unique period in El Salvador’s history and to work alongside Salvadorans
as they strengthen their civil and democratic society.
Much work
will need to be done in the coming weeks, but we are confident that with the
involvement and support of individuals such as you we can organize, train and
send an effective delegation of observers to these important elections.
Sincerely,
Therese
Boullard
Linda Shout
El Salvador
Delegation Coordinators
