With 74 votes in favor, the Legislative Assembly approved a transitional provision that grants a leave for voting to public and private employees so that they can exercise their right to vote in said elections. This measure seeks to guarantee that workers have enough time to participate in the next elections, in which the president of the Republic, the vice-president, deputies of the Legislative Assembly, the Central American Parliament, and mayors will be elected.
It is important to note that this provision requires employers to allow employees to vote without affecting their work activities and without the need to declare a holiday. In addition, it sets forth that failure to comply with this provision or obstruction of the free exercise of suffrage will amount to the offense of electoral fraud, with sanctions for offenders ranging from four to six years in prison.
Therefore, we recommend ensuring that companies demonstrate their commitment to comply with this provision and provide employees with the necessary time to exercise their right to vote.
We must remember the importance of civic and democratic participation of all citizens in electoral processes; therefore, it is essential to fully support this measure that seeks to promote the exercise of the right to vote among Salvadoran workers.