Electoral Transhumance: A Common Practice in General Elections
The act of “carrying” voters to another location to favor a certain candidate has become the most denounced issue in the recent general elections. This practice, known as electoral transhumance, is considered a crime according to the Electoral and Political Parties Law (LEPP).
The Electoral Crimes Prosecutor of the Public Ministry is responsible for investigating cases of electoral transhumance, which involves three offenses: material falsehood, ideological falsehood with electoral aggravation, or perjury. These offenses occur when a citizen is mobilized to a polling station that does not correspond to their actual residence, with the intention of adding votes to a specific candidate.
In 2019, the prosecutor’s office reported that 44 sanctions were issued to individuals who were found responsible for engaging in the hauling of voters. The sanctions included community work, providing training, and donating copies of the Electoral Law and Political Parties or the Political Constitution to educational centers.
According to the LEPP, there are several crimes that can be incurred by transporting people to a municipality where it is not their responsibility to vote. These include material falsehood with electoral aggravation, ideological falsehood with electoral aggravation, use of falsified documents, and illegitimate use of an identification document. The penalties for these crimes range from two to six years in prison.
The issue of hauling voters has been particularly prominent in the current electoral process. Accusations of hauling began in Villa Nueva, where the mayor Javier Gramajo has yet to address the matter. In San José del Golfo, the general elections were even suspended due to a group of residents preventing trucks with voting equipment from entering four centers. The residents argued that there would be fraud as buses with “hauled” voters arrived on Saturday night.
Judge Gabriel Aguilera has emphasized that the issue of hauling causes confusion among citizens. He clarified that candidates can offer transportation to their affiliates, as long as certain illegalities are not committed. The General Inspectorate of the TSE investigates cases of electoral transhumance, and transportation provided by political groups to their affiliates or sympathizers is not considered hauling.
To verify complaints of electoral transhumance, the authorities have the support of inspectors. It is important to note that the assumption of hauling only occurs when a person has cast their vote. During the course of election day, it will be determined whether or not a citizen’s vote appears in the register.
Electoral transhumance remains a significant concern in general elections, and efforts are being made to address and prevent this practice. The authorities are committed to ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process by holding accountable those who engage in electoral transhumance.
How can electoral authorities effectively detect and prevent instances of electoral transhumance, considering its organized nature and the financial incentives involved?
L forms of electoral transhumance, including transport of voters in vehicles or on foot, providing incentives or benefits to voters in exchange for their support, and organizing groups of voters to travel to specific polling stations. These acts are all aimed at distorting the democratic process and manipulating election results.
Electoral transhumance is particularly prevalent in rural areas, where candidates often rely on mobilizing voters to secure their victory. This practice undermines the principle of equal representation and compromises the legitimacy of election outcomes.
To combat this issue, electoral authorities have implemented measures to prevent and prosecute instances of electoral transhumance. These measures include increased surveillance at polling stations, verification of voters’ addresses, and stricter penalties for those found guilty of engaging in this practice.
However, despite these efforts, electoral transhumance continues to persist in many countries. The organized nature of this practice makes it challenging to detect and prevent, as many individuals involved receive financial incentives or other benefits in exchange for their participation.
Electoral transhumance not only undermines the integrity of elections but also perpetuates inequality and marginalization. By artificially inflating the votes for certain candidates, it diminishes the representation of those who genuinely support other candidates or political parties.
In order to address this issue effectively, it is crucial that electoral authorities not only strengthen their enforcement capabilities but also work towards addressing the root causes that drive individuals to engage in electoral transhumance. This may involve addressing socio-economic inequalities, improving access to basic services, and promoting democratic values and participation.
Ultimately, electoral transhumance is a serious offense that undermines the democratic process and the principle of fair representation. It is important for governments and electoral authorities to take appropriate measures to prevent and punish individuals who engage in this practice, in order to ensure the integrity and legitimacy of general elections.
