The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) is under fire following a private meeting with political parties, where the TSE downplayed responsibility for the recent election chaos, instead placing blame on “wrong decisions and improvisation.”
Carlos Saade, president of ARENA, was present at the meeting and refuted TSE presiding judge Dora Martínez’s claims, stating that the TSE is attempting to shift the blame to opposition parties and scapegoat others for their own shortcomings.
Saade detailed issues raised by members of his party, such as questionable changes at voting centers, insufficient security paper, and unclear communication about the final vote scrutiny process. He also criticized the TSE for inconsistencies in their decisions and a lack of firmness in their approach to resolving the election issues.
The TSE’s handling of the situation has drawn criticism from other political figures as well, with Deputy Reynaldo Cardoza of the PCN expressing dismay over the disorder and lack of decisiveness within the institution.
In addition to criticism of the TSE, Saade also called out Attorney General of the Republic, Rodolfo Delgado, for not publicly addressing the election-related problems. He accused the Attorney General of responding to the President’s office and implied that the decisions being made are politically motivated.
This meeting and its aftermath raise further questions about the TSE’s ability to manage the electoral process and ensure a fair and transparent voting system. As El Salvador grapples with the aftermath of the election chaos, concerns about the TSE’s accountability and potential political influence persist.