Nova Scotian volunteers observing elections in Central America Shunpiking Online Vo.6 No.3

HALIFAX, NS (22 January 2009) - A GROUP of local volunteers is joining other international groups to observe upcoming municipal and presidential elections in El Salvador.

The Halifax Observers Project: El Salvador (HOPES) explains that it is a group of volunteers interested in democratic institutions and practices at home and around the world. Members of the group are volunteering their time as part of an official body of international electoral observers accredited by El Salvador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (similar to Elections Canada). Some of the observers will participate in the municipal elections on 18 January 2009, and others will volunteer with the presidential elections on 15 March. They include Halifax physician Dr Timothy Bood together with J.D. Hutton.

The country of El Salvador, the group explains, has only enjoyed free elections since the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992 that ended a 12-year civil war between the US-backed government and army, and Farabundo Marti National Liberation (FMLN) rebels. "Prior to that time, El Salvador lived through a violent dictatorship for almost 50 years. Unfortunately, elections since 1992 have not always been fair or clean."

HOPES members will meet with all of the country's political parties, as well as mayoral candidates, non-governmental organizations; and will visit medical clinics and hospitals, schools, a coffee cooperative, community media and a municipal market.