Electoral campaign begins in El Salvador

Political groups in El Salvador may begin the electoral campaign for the 2024 elections, as established by the law regulating these processes.

The promotional period ends on January 31st of next year, and propaganda silence will be decreed until after the voting on February 4th, in the cases of the presidential and legislative elections.

The presiding judge of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Dora Martínez, stated on Monday, that they received two citizen complaints for an alleged campaign carried out in national territory, in addition to up to 25 cases initiated automatically, which are being analyzed by the Jurisdictional Unit of the body.

The TSE must decide if this is an “advanced campaign or if it is a political campaign,” because, as Martínez explained, there are parties that have entered into a procedure where they carry out a political campaign, and “that is permitted by law.” Although some groups were abroad in meetings with voters, the TSE has no complaints of an advanced campaign and only received two complaints of such activities in national territory, despite the fact that they are aware of others.

The Judge Noel Orellana highlighted that there are indications of delay in the resolution of early campaign cases, however, there is a procedure to comply with in order to deduct the responsibility of those natural or legal persons who act outside the law.

According to the regulation, the fine established in article 245 of the Electoral Code could range between one thousand 142.77 and five thousand 713.85 dollars.