Legislative Framework

El Salvador

LF001

Status of Electoral Law

Question:	What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Part of Constitution b. Separate legislation
Comments:	The basic provisions about the electoral regime are embodied in the Constitution, but a separate and specific legislation details all aspects related to the preparation, organization and running of elections, including the legal regime of political parties (Electoral Law).
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de El Salvador”, art. 77–82, 269: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-constitucion-2014/ ; Electoral Law: “Decreto No. 413 — Código Electoral”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-recopilacion-legislacion-electoral-2021/ ; Political Parties Act: "Decreto No. 307 — Ley de Partidos Políticos": https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-recopilacion-legislacion-electoral-2021/ ; Law on Independent Candidates to Legislative Elections: “Decreto No. 555 — Disposiciones para la postulación de candidaturas no partidarias en las elecciones legislativas”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-postulacion-candidaturas-no-partidarias-2019/ ; Law on Out of Country Voting: “Decreto No. 273 — Ley especial para el ejercicio del voto desde el exterior en las elecciones presidenciales”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-ley-especial-voto-exterior-2018/
Verified:	2024/12/19

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LF003

Electoral Law covers

Question:	The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):	a. National elections c. Local elections e. Other
Comments:	The Electoral Law also regulates the elections to the Central American Parliament.
Source:	Electoral Law: “Decreto No. 413 — Código Electoral”, art. 2: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-recopilacion-legislacion-electoral-2021/
Verified:	2024/12/19

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LF004

Compulsory/voluntary voting

Question:	Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):	a. Voting is voluntary
Comments:	Voting is regarded as a civic duty, but no sanctions are imposed on non-voters.
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de El Salvador”, art. 72 & 73: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-constitucion-2014/ ; Electoral Law: “Decreto No. 413 — Código Electoral”, art. 3: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-recopilacion-legislacion-electoral-2021/
Verified:	2024/12/19

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LF007

Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)

Question:	What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):	b. EMB
Comments:	The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has both administrative and judicial functions.
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de El Salvador”, art. 208: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-constitucion-2014/
Verified:	2024/12/19

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