The Political Commission of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador began the analysis of the Constitutional Reform Agreements Number Seven and Eight, approved in the plenary session of April 29, aimed at ratifying changes in article 79 and in paragraphs 1 and 3 of article 208 of the Constitution. The debate is aimed at guaranteeing legislative representation for Salvadorans abroad and modifying the process of electing magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
The first agreement, relating to article 79, proposes that Salvadorans residing outside the country elect their own representatives to the Legislative Assembly.
The electoral district for the diaspora will be determined based on the Electoral Registry and not on the proportion of nationals abroad. Ernesto Castro, president of the Political Commission, highlighted that this reform will allow the diaspora to have a representation equivalent to that of the fourteen departments of the country: “Their vote was previously assigned to the department of San Salvador; but now our brothers abroad will vote directly for their representatives”.
The total number of seats in the Assembly will remain at 60, which guarantees that the integration of the legislative body will not be altered. The deputies explained that the reform responds to the increase in the participation of Salvadorans abroad, a figure that went from about five thousand voters in previous elections to more than three hundred thousand in the last elections.
Analysts maintain that the eventual approval of these modifications could redefine the rules of the political game and raise repercussions on citizens’ trust in the democratic system (Photo courtesy Legislative Assembly) The Constitutional Reform Agreement Number Eight corresponds to clauses 1° and 3° of article 208 and seeks to modify the integration of the TSE to reduce the incidence of political parties in the selection of its magistrates. Currently, the Tribunal is composed of five principal magistrates: three proposed by the parties with the most votes in the last presidential elections and two by the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ).According to the reform, starting with the 2027 election, the five magistrates will be appointed by the Legislative Assembly: three through a public and general process, and two at the proposal of the CSJ. All must meet the requirements to be magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice and may not have party affiliation. The president magistrate will be selected by the Assembly, eliminating the prerogative of the party with the most votes to propose him.
