The CIS is one of few entities that has organized volunteer observers from abroad in an election observation mission for every presidential and legislative election in El Salvador since the return of democracy with the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992. El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Salvadoran communities, and local civic and grassroots organizations have continued to ask the CIS to organization observation missions.
The CIS International Election Observer Missions have earned a reputation of respect both in El Salvador and abroad for their professional organization and commitment to a free and fair democratic election process.
Each CIS Mission produces and presents a final report to the Supreme Election Tribunal, the Commission on Electoral and Constitutional Reforms of the Legislative Assembly, major political parties and other stakeholders that assesses and offers recommendations regarding the election proceedings and the implementation of existing electoral reforms.
The findings and recommendations from the CIS’s election observation reports have served to spotlight strengths and weaknesses in the electoral process. They have been used regularly as a basis for electoral reform proposals presented by members of the Legislative Assembly, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), and other electoral institutions and organizations. The CIS has also played a key role in alerting authorities to pre-electoral anomalies that we have observed.
Objectives of CIS Election Observation Missions
Provide international oversight of elections in El Salvador
Enable broad participation of voters by contributing to a safe environment and a free and fair process
Identify and provide witness to potential violations of the electoral code before and during the elections
Deter fraud, corruption, voter intimidation, violence and other practices that may unfairly impact election results
Encourage transparency in the electoral process
Report on the implementation of election reforms
Provide to election observers an opportunity to better understand structures of power that govern the country
Promote people-to-people solidarity
Serve as an election observer!
Election observers are volunteers who receive specialized training to observe election procedures and identify when they adhere to or violate free and fair election processes, which enables the CIS mission to assess the quality of the elections, issue recommendations, and determine whether or not to certify the election outcomes.
70 volunteer observers from 7 countries participated in the CIS Election Observation Mission for the 2019 national elections: United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, India, and El Salvador.
As an election observer, you will contribute to oversight of the electoral process and facilitate a safe environment that enables broad participation.
All observers:
Participate in multiple days of training for election observation.
Meet with election officials, candidates and political party representatives, grassroots organizations, embassy officials and top political and economic analysts to learn about the historical, economic, and social context of the elections.
Have opportunities to meet with prospective voters in their communities.
Spend three days prior to Election Day in the municipality where you will observe to become familiar with the local context and coordinate with local officials.
Observe election proceedings (without intervening in the process) in one or more municipality where you are assigned
Record observations and information to be compiled for the final report
Promote the Mission to possible observers in your organization or community.
Long-term volunteers:
Observe the voting preparation and campaign season leading up to the elections.
Write reports from meetings with political parties, departmental and municipal election boards (JEDS and JEMS), and other institutions.
Coordinate observation in one or more municipal sites and make necessary logistical arrangements for observer teams (communication with election officials, housing, food, transportation, etc.)
Coordinate a small team of observers and translate the weekend of the elections.
Participate in meetings with representatives of political parties, electoral institutions, and local and national organizations.
Prepare training and logistics for observers for the week of the elections.
Assist in collating information for and writing the final electoral report.
Respond to media inquiries.
Synthesize information from recorded observations and synthesize conclusions and recommendations about the electoral process.
Conduct follow-up meetings with government agencies.
We invite you to participate in the 15th CIS International Election Observer Mission Human Rights and Democracy in El Salvador 2024
As an election observer: January 30th - February 6th,2024 or February 27th- March 5th,2024
As a long term election volunteer: November 15 - March 25, 2024 or January 1st - March 25, 2024
As an election observer:
January 30 – February 6, 2024 or February 27 – March 5, 2024
As a long-term Election Volunteer:
November 15, 2023 – March 25, 2024 or January 1 - March 25, 2024
Deadlines & Costs
Applications are due six weeks prior to your start date.
Program fees are due one month prior to program start date.
You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own flights
You are responsible for covering your room and board
As an Election Observer
(January 30th – February 6th, 2024 and/or
February 27th- March 5th, 2024)
We recommend that you arrive by afternoon on the dates mentioned to get full orientation and depart on the afternoon flight on the departure dates you can participate in the Tuesday morning press conference.
Per Person cost for participation in program, translation, meals, all in country transportation. If you arrive earlier or depart later than program dates, CIS can reserve a room for you
You will be responsible for expenses on days outside those dates:
$950 – single room accommodation
$850 Double occupancy room
$750 Shared room (3-5 people)
$650 if you have your own housing. Breakfast will not be included, and you will have to get to the CIS or the Observer Hotel at indicated departure time. CIS will drop you off in the evening.
$250 fee for Observing in consulates abroad, will cover administration, accreditation, t-shirt, and training only.
You will be responsible for your own food, transport, and housing if needed.
Applications are due by December 1, 2023
Long -term Election Volunteer Program (January 1st - March 25, 2024)
will not be required to pay program fees.
You will be responsible for covering flights and room and board expenses.
CIS can arrange special discount family stay for medium- and long-term volunteers for $90 per week including breakfast and dinner; or $60 per week with no meals included.
Spanish is a requirement to be a long-term volunteer.
Applications are due by November 1st, 2023
Criteria for participation:
-Commitment to free and fair elections.
-Independent and objective (no political party affiliation in El Salvador permitted)
-Spanish is only a requirement for long term volunteers, it is not a requirement for week-long observers.
-Spanish and/or previous election observer experience a plus.
Refunds: In the event of cancelation by delegate for any reason (up until one week prior), including force majeure (up until travel date), CIS will retain a $200 administration fee (to cover deposits and organizational expenses). We can provide a refund for the remainder or you can designate any remaining amount for CIS programs – scholarships, dignified housing, women’s businesses, clean water, or the emergency fund. If you cancel less than one week prior to the event, CIS will retain 50%, except in the case of force majeure.
About the Presidencial, Legislative, Municipal Elections, and Central American Parliament of 2024
