Some Salvadorans remember that in past elections they were afraid to even go out to vote on election day, but the situation has changed. Tranquility and order dominate the election day this Sunday in El Salvador, dyed by the light blue and white colors of the New Ideas (NI) party of the president, Nayib Bukele.
At one of the polling stations in San Salvador, around thirty people waited in an orderly line before the scheduled opening at 7:00 local time (13:00 GMT).
The first to arrive, proud of having come a few days ago from the United States for the occasion, was Milton Navarro, 65 years old: "It's easy to vote electronically, but it's nicer to come and see the people. It's like a party, and being part of it is important," he told EFE accompanied by his American wife.
He will vote for Bukele's re-election, but he does not say it openly. When asked, he points out the white cap he wears, similar to the one the Salvadoran president usually wears. His words also leave no room for doubt.
"It is seen that Bukele has improved the situation, especially security, that is very important. Many criticize the rise in food prices, but that is worldwide, not just here. (...) But yes, for security "He has done a lot (...) I hope he continues like this," says this Salvadoran who left the country in 1979, when the situation "was beginning to get quite ugly due to the civil war."
The conflict ended in 1992, and then the domination of the gangs or "maras" would begin, reaching its climax in 2015, when El Salvador was considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world.
But with the imposition of the controversial emergency regime by the Bukele Government, almost two years ago, violence dropped suddenly, making the country, according to the Executive, the safest in Latin America.
Alexander Rodríguez, 39, does not openly say that he will vote for Bukele, but there are no doubts either. He waits from early in the morning to vote, something that was not so easy years ago.
"A big difference. Here before you would even think about getting up early when there were elections, but not now, the situation has changed a lot. It can be said that security is the main thing that the current president has touched on, and it is very good," he assures.
In some polling stations, the opening was slightly delayed to allow security forces and electoral staff to vote. At the "Concha Viuda de Escalón" school in the capital, the place "was officially open" at 7:10.
The police began to vote "a little before 7, but since there were several of them, there was a little delay, they spoke with one of the presiding officers of the (Electoral) Court and it was decided 'let's open while the police continue voting' "Marcelo Perdomo Barraza, manager of the center, with 16,800 registered voters, explained to EFE.
Dozens of international election observers were present at many of the voting centers, but most avoided commenting on how the process was going. Betania Améndola, observer of the Honduran team deployed to follow the elections, highlighted the order.
"Very good, I look at it very calmly, people are also excited to come to vote, and everything is in order, order has also been looked at at a general level," Améndola explains to EFE.
Among the "vigilantes" of the political parties in the elections, only one formation was seen, Nuevas Ideas, with few exceptions. Few doubt the result. If the polls hold up, Bukele will sweep more than 80% of the votes.
Dozens of journalists stood guard at the open-air electoral center on Via Olímpica, in the capital, to immortalize Bukele voting. He is expected to do so in the early afternoon.
The sunny day after the rains on Saturday was another factor that encouraged many to vote. Among them were elderly people who could barely walk. "I almost have no air," said one.
