Friday, 20 January 2023 18:57

Deadline extended for change of residency in DUI of salvadorans living abroad

Written by Evelyn Alas

On february 4, 2024, the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) will hold elections to elect the President of the Republic, the Vice President and deputies of the Legislative Assembly.

For this reason, with 65 votes, the parliamentarians approved the Transitory Provision for the Extension of Deadlines for Change of Address in the Single Identity Document for Persons Abroad.

This measure would allow updating the location data in the DUI of salvadorians residing abroad, if so required.

The endorsed dipsotion establishes that the compatriots will be able to modify the address of their domicile in a period longer than the one established in article 20 of the Electoral Code: Up to three months before the date assigned for the elections (90 days). That is, until october 4 of this year.

Previously, the deadline was one year before the elections. However, in the event of a second round in the presidential election, there may not be any other modification or deadline outside the one already established in the law.

Vota Inteligente: Plataforma que actualiza el proceso electoral - Abierto  al Público

With this, the guarantees that the State must provide to the Diaspora are fulfilled, after last october 26, 2022, the plenary approved the Special Law for the Exercise of Suffrage Abroad.

On the previous november 8, the legislators approved the modality of voting abroad, that is to say, under a system of remote voting by Internet and by an electronic voting system in person.

For the first time, and after many years of being excluded from these electoral processes, salvadorans living abroad will be able to vote and run for public office.

"This day we are dignifying our diaspora, so we continue to settle that debt we had with them. We have thought of Salvadorans who have up to three or four jobs and the main objective of this law is to consolidate democracy and that no one is left without their right to vote", explained legislator Walter Alemán.

Regarding the election day, the remote voting by Internet will be continuous and will have a duration of 30 calendar days, beginning one month before the day established by the TSE for the election in the national territory and will end on the same day of the election in the country.

While the electronic suffrage will begin at 7:00 a.m. and will end at 5:00 p.m. of the day determined by the TSE, according to the electoral calendar and as it occurs in the national territory.

Documents to vote

Article three of the law establishes that in order for residents abroad to vote they must prove their nationality by means of their Documento Único de Identidad (DUI) or their passport, issued within or outside the national territory and whether or not it is in force.

Those who wish to run for elective office may register without any requirements other than those established in the Constitution of the Republic, the Electoral Code, the Political Parties Law and the applicable regulations.

In the previous law, this was completely excluded from happening, that is why the parliamentarians who are part of said work table exhorted the political parties that intend to participate in the process to take into account the diaspora.

The TSE must establish the appropriate offices and procedures, both electronic and in person, to make the reception, management and resolution of the applications for registration of candidacies viable.

 

Translated by: A.M