President Pío Romero Bosque implemented democratic reforms in El Salvador during his presidency, either due to combat the radicalization of laborers,[1] to foster relations with the United States,[2] or to "leave his mark on history" by breaking with the Meléndez Quiñónez dynasty that ruled El Salvador from 1913 to 1927.[3] Among the reforms included allowing the 1931 presidential and legislative elections to be conducted in a genuinely democratic manner[4] as opposed to the fraudulent elections held under the Meléndez Quiñónez dynasty.[5] Polling stations were staffed by observer groups from each political party to ensure there was no fraud.[6] The government itself also increased its presence at polling stations by sending soldiers from the armed forces who, according to General Salvador Peña, would "maintain order and guarantee freedom of suffrage".[7]
"I make this formal call to our patriotism that in this next step to resolve the political problem of presidential succession, that we be ready to support, in any way possible, the form that this process takes, as a reflection of our prudence and confirmation of our preparation for a democratic life."
Although Romero implemented several democratic reforms, he issued a decree that banned worker's rallies and the spread of Marxist propaganda on 12 August 1930 to curb the rise in popularity of the Regional Federation of the Workers of El Salvador (FRTS). The National Guard arrested workers who protested the decree throughout August and September.[9] In October, workers organized the Campaign for the Liberation of Political Prisoners, but this was also banned. In November, Romero released many who were arrested to diminish tensions with the workers, but on 21 December, General Enrique Leitzelar (the chief of the National Police) led a massacre in Santa Ana that killed worker leader Pedro Alonzo and seven others.[10]
Romero did not choose a designated successor as had occurred in prior presidential elections.[13] In July 1929, he wrote that "the Salvadoran people will select freely their future President without recommendation of imposition of any kind".[8] Although Romero never publicly picked a successor, according to American historian Thomas Anderson, Romero sympathized with Córdova and Molina as both were fellow reformers but that Romero was unable to pick between the two. According to Anderson, this is why Romero allowed all candidates to participate in the election.[14]
Results
The 1931 presidential and legislative elections were held on 11 through 13 January.[15] There were 392,383 registered voters in the 1931 elections accounting for 27.4 percent of El Salvador's population. In total, 228,866 valid votes were cast.[16] All men were eligible to vote.[17] A candidate had to receive an absolute majority of the votes in order to become President; if no candidate won an absolute majority, the Legislative Assembly would elect the president.[18] When the votes were counted, Araujo finished in first with 106,777 votes. Gómez Zárate came in second with 64,280 votes, Córdova in third with 34,499 votes, Claramount in fourth with 18,399 votes, and Molina in fifth with 4,911 votes.[19][a][b]
Whilst Araujo obtained a plurality of the votes, he had failed to secure a majority.[19] However, the newly elected Assembly consisted largely of Araujo supporters, and when convened on 12 February, allowed him to assume the presidency.[20] However, Araujo, a landowner with progressive ideals, had the misfortune of taking office in the midst of massive labor and student strikes. Martial law was declared, and soon the military, upset about not having received its pay and supported by the oligarchy, which distrusted Araujo, overthrew his government after nine months.[22]
Notes
1 2 According to Kenneth Grieb, Araujo received 101,000 votes and Gómez Zárate received 64,000 votes.[20]
1 2 According to Thomas Anderson, Araujo received 101,069 votes, Gómez Zárate received 62,931 votes, Córdova 32,778 votes, Claramount 16,464 votes, and Molina 4,163 votes.[21]
Indirect elections are indicated with asterisks (*), while elections prior to independence are indicated with the number sign (#). Future elections are in italics.
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