“It is to triumph over the position,” said magistrate Julio Olivo, referring to the inauguration of the port of La Libertad bypass. He recalled that this type of activity has been banned since January 29.
Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) magistrate Julio Olivo said in an interview with Hechos de Canal 12 this Monday that they are evaluating possible sanctions on the government for the inauguration of works a few days before the election.
That is the case, he said, with the port bypass of La Libertad, as electoral law prohibits political parties from engaging in such activities during the campaign. “It’s to overcome the position,” said Magistrate Olivo.
“The president can do whatever he wants, he’s already reached the point of opening a work. The port bypass of La Libertad (…) You cannot inaugurate works, Mr. President and his ministers, the President has inaugurated the bypass and 30 days before the works cannot be inaugurated. It is clearly stated in the law that works cannot be inaugurated 30 days earlier and there is the bypass, ”said Olivo in the morning interview.
“We hope to reach some sort of agreement this week to punish that behavior,” he added.
Article 178 of the Electoral Law states: “During the thirty days prior to the date of the elections, neither the government of the republic, nor the municipal councils and other autonomous entities may carry out the contracts, inaugurations of national infrastructure works or any other nature which they carry out or which they intend to carry out in accordance with the provision or auxiliary services to which the State is obliged ”.
You could read: Bukele allows a new diversion of the port of La Libertad during an opening ban
Also, the electoral law, in Section 230, implies a violation of this measure dismissal and a fine if the person violating the provision is a popularly elected public servant.
In its Twitter account, the TSE explained that this type of work has been banned since January 29, and this applies to both municipal and state works.
The opening
On Friday, February 20, President Nayib Bukele inaugurated the La Libertad bypass, a four-mile-long highway with an investment of $ 61.5 million, according to data from the Ministry of Public Works.
On Friday afternoon, February 19, nine days before the elections for deputies and city councils were held, Nayib Bukele inaugurated the bypass. This is prohibited by the Elections Act in Article 178. Photo EDH / Jonatan Funes
The work was completed with the construction of the third section of the highway, which is 3.25 kilometers long and has four lanes connecting with the Litoral highway, at Conchalío beach.
Moreover: detour part of La Libertad with irregularities, according to a complaint from Public Works to the Public Prosecution Service
The first phase is 2.89 kilometers long and was built with hydraulic concrete, the total cost was $ 27.3 million and it stretches from the area known as La Danta to the vicinity of the Chilama River.
The second section is 380 meters long and includes a 280 meter long and 45 meter high viaduct, considered the tallest and longest bridge in the country.