Salvadorans are gearing up for a crucial day as they head to the polls on Sunday to cast their votes in the presidential elections. The elections will determine the country’s president, vice president, and all 60 seats in the unicameral legislature.
Incumbent President Nayib Bukele, who has been in office since 2019, is widely expected to secure a landslide victory, despite a constitutional ban on consecutive presidential terms. Bukele’s party, Nuevas Ideas, is also anticipated to gain a larger majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Bukele, at the age of 42, enjoys immense popularity in El Salvador. He is renowned for his tough stance against the country’s violent and powerful gangs, which had previously plagued public life. Under his leadership, El Salvador has experienced a significant decrease in the murder rate, marking a substantial improvement from the high levels recorded in 2015, as reported by the Salvadoran government.
However, this progress has come at a price. The government’s crackdown on gangs has resulted in the arrest of tens of thousands of individuals suspected of gang affiliation. Consequently, El Salvador now has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Critics argue that these measures have come at the expense of civil rights.
Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding Bukele’s consolidation of power and the elimination of political opposition. As the election unfolds, Salvadorans will be closely watching the outcome and its potential implications for the country’s democratic landscape.
The results of the elections will shape the future of El Salvador and have far-reaching consequences for its citizens. As the nation awaits the outcome, both supporters and critics of Bukele eagerly anticipate the results that will determine the country’s path forward.