elections

Officers getting ready for 2009 vote

Since 1991, a corps of volunteers, the delegados electorales, have overseen Panama’s elections and referendums.

These volunteers monitor polling places to ensure voting is conducted properly, and also attend rallies and other events.

LA PRENSA

watchful:The delegados electorales monitor Panama’s elections.1030691

As the presidential campaigns are going into top gear, it is not only politicians who are getting ready for the upcoming election.

A group of volunteers is working behind the scenes to prepare themselves for election day next May.

These are the delegados electorales, who monitor the polling stations to ensure that voting is carried out fairly and impartially.

Established by the Tribunal Electoral (TE) in 1991, this all-volunteer group is modeled after a similar organization in Costa Rica which was founded in 1948.

The group was formed to help Panama's fledgling democracy that was established in the wake of the overthrow of the military dictatorship.

The electoral officers, with their trademark blue and yellow vests, have been a part of every election or referendum held in the country since 1991.

One of the few job requirements is political neutrality. The officers are the eyes and ears of the TE at the local level, and such neutrality is needed so that the reports on possible voting irregularities are not compromised by political leanings.

In the course of their duties, the officers may be called on to resolve a problem or conflict that arises on election day. They are also tasked with keeping the peace between rival political parties.

"People usually respect our decisions," said Anayansi Bula, who has served as an election officer for 10 years.

The volunteers receive training on conflict resolution, human relations and mediation techniques, as well as needing to stay up-to-date on the latest changes to the Electoral Code.

Fausto Fernández, who has served as president of the group since 1996, said that it has earned the respect and trust of both citizens and political organizations.

"At first we were apprehensive," he said. "But now the political parties are asking us to attend their activities. We see that as a guarantee that there will not be any problems."