When questioned for holding a press conference during the election silence, Bukele evaded giving a clear answer. In addition, he charged against TSE magistrates.
The President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, gave a press conference this Sunday afternoon, just hours before the polls closed, proselytizing on election day.
Bukele called on the population to go out to vote in the last hours before the polls begin to close at 5:00 p.m. However, he mentioned an election slogan to guide the vote.
The president said that there was more influx of voters on February 28 and called on the population to vote for parties related to the government, despite the electoral silence.
MINUTE TO MINUTE: Influx of Salvadorans in polling stations a few minutes before the close of the polls, the most important of the election day
We are doing this “completed operation” in the few hours remaining, Bukele said at the conference ignoring the election law.
Article 184 of the Electoral Code states that “no official may prevail from office to engage in partisan politics.” While Article 175 of the same law states: “It is prohibited for political parties (…) and natural persons to make propaganda during the three days before the election and on the day of the same.”
However, when questioned for holding a press conference during the electoral silence ordered by the Electoral Code, Bukele evaded giving a clear answer and simply said, “I have complied with the law, but those who walk enchalecados (with badges) do not ask them “.
For his part, the Vice President of the National Executive Council (COENA) stated through his Twitter account that Bukele has given a fraud speech using the state apparatus to call for votes for New Ideas, and that he should hold a conference of the press on election day is to violate the Salvadoran state.
Bukele also charged the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) with alleged irregularities filed at the start of the day.
According to the president, the delay in delivering credentials to members of the Vote Receiving Boards (JRVs) representing parties like New Ideas and CDs are irregularities that were not previously given.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Brendan O’Brien said this morning that his government supports fair, transparent and peaceful elections.
“The important thing is not to say that there is fraud where there is no fraud. It is important to wait for the results and I think democracy decided for the Salvadorans,” O’Brien asked.
He further argued that the results should be patiently awaited. “The election where all the votes count is vital. What we want to see is patience in the process. Sometimes the results take time,” O’Brien said.
You may be interested: The United States asks not to claim that there is fraud where it does not exist
President Nayib Bukele arrived with his wife, Gabriela de Bukele, to cast their vote this afternoon at the center located on El Hipòdrom Boulevard. In this place he gave no statements. In addition, during this activity, the security of the Presidency attacked a photojournalist from today’s newspaper, while other colleagues were prevented from approaching and were blocked from asking the president questions.