The Elections Commission of the TSJE issued an opinion against the participation of the non-governmental organizations Alma Cívica and Decidamos, as observers of the April 30 elections. The final decision will be made by the ministers today.
The financing director of the TSJE, Christian Ruiz, was cConsulted about the authorization that the Electoral Justice must give to the NGOs Alma Cívica and Decidamos, to participate as observers of the elections.
“We do not have a resolution yet, but as the Election Commission we raised an opinion regarding both and that is in the hands of the ministers. They have to be issued today.” Ruiz expressed, in an interview with Universo-Nación Media radio.
Regarding the content of the document sent to the ministers, Ruiz confirmed that “the opinion is for rejection”.
The ministers of Electoral Justice must issue a decision today, Friday, in this regard, to determine if these non-governmental organizations may or may not participate as observers, as requested.
Related note: TSJE calls on NGOs from Soledad to deliver documents: there are doubts about impartiality
In a first attempt, both bounced, as the TSJE required them documentation that ensures neutrality and impartiality, as part of a mechanism that applies to all organizations that claim to be observers.
“Documents that we believe are essential to determine neutrality were missing, We asked one of them for the minutes of the assembly by which the last board of directors was appointed, because it cannot be made up of candidates, we asked another what kind of activities they plan to carry out on election day, including the transmission of preliminary results. ”, commented Ruiz Diaz.
Members and “volunteers” of Alma Cívica, an NGO of the Concertación, spend their time making posts on social networks, with campaigns against the ANR and in favor of Efraín Alegre. For sample, some captures:
Observers can only take notes and make recommendations, which are not binding. However, they cannot practice proselytism or intervene at the polling station or interfere in exclusive activities of electoral agents.