Vote counting is underway in El Salvador election 2024 after the polls closed on Sunday, with President Nayib Bukele expected to secure a second term, according to CNN.

Bukele, 42, faces minimal organized opposition and boasts one of the highest favorability ratings in the region, often polling above 70% in independent surveys.

His popularity is attributed to a crackdown on criminal gangs, leading to a significant reduction in the murder rate, despite concerns over mass arrests that have given El Salvador the world's highest incarceration rate.

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Bukele's Security Strategy and El Salvador Election 2024 Dynamics

Bukele, widely popular, campaigned on the success of his security strategy, involving the suspension of civil liberties to arrest over 75,000 Salvadorans without charges, Reuters reports.

The detentions resulted in a sharp decline in nationwide murder rates, transforming a country of 6.3 million people that was once among the world's most dangerous.

However, some analysts question the sustainability of mass incarceration, constituting 1% of the population, in the long term.

In a recent press conference, Bukele urged support for his party to maintain its anti-gang fight and continue reshaping El Salvador.

He expressed optimism about the country's future.

"If we have already overcome our cancer, with metastases that were the gangs, now we only have to recover and be the person we always wanted to be," Bukele said.

Despite debates on human rights concerns, many Salvadorans seem set to reward Bukele for the positive changes, including reduced crime and a surge in tourism.

Pre-election polling indicated single-digit support for traditional parties FMLN and ARENA, reflecting public dissatisfaction with decades of traditional politics marked by violence and corruption.

Nayib Bukele's candidacy itself has been controversial, enabled by a loyalist Supreme Court ruling allowing him to bypass a constitutional ban on successive terms, per France24.

When questioned about seeking a third term, he replied, "I don't think constitutional reform is necessary," leaving his future plans unclear.

International Reactions and El Salvador Election 2024 Atmosphere

Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena and China's Embassy in San Salvador congratulated Bukele, anticipating a "historic victory."

Nayib Bukele, known for his strong anti-gang stance, faced virtually no competition, with soaring approval ratings making his second term widely expected, Al Jazeera noted.

For the first time since the civil war ended in 1992, the El Salvador election is being held under a state of emergency imposed for Bukele's crackdown on criminal gangs.

While the move significantly reduced homicide rates, it drew criticism for human rights violations.

Most Salvadorans, however, seem focused on the positive changes, particularly the reduction in crime, giving little priority to reported human rights concerns.

The El Salvador election 2024 dynamics saw Nayib Bukele focusing on promoting his Nuevas Ideas party, holding a majority in the 84-member assembly.

Legislative reforms led by Bukele reduced the overall number of seats to 60, potentially making it more challenging for smaller parties to secure sufficient votes.

Alternating in power for three decades, traditional parties ARENA and FMLN faced discreditation for corruption and inefficacy, with their presidential candidates polling in the low single digits.

The direction El Salvador takes under Bukele's continued leadership will become clearer as the official results unfold.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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