Indirect presidential elections were held in El Salvador on 29 April 1982. The Legislative Assembly voted on three candidates nominated by the armed forces.

Álvaro Alfredo Magaña Borja Álvaro (, , ) is a Spanish, Galician and Portuguese male given name and surname (see Spanish naming customs) of Visigothic origin. Some claim it may be related to the Old Norse name Alfarr, formed of the elements ''alf'' "elf" and ''arr'' "warrior ...

, leader of the Democratic Action, was elected by 36 votes to 17, ahead of the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) and

Party of National Conciliation The National Coalition Party ( es, Partido de Concertación Nacional, PCN) is a nationalist political party in El Salvador. Until 2011 it was known as the National Conciliation Party ( es, Partido de Conciliación Nacional, PCN). It was the most ...

candidates.

Roberto D'Aubuisson Roberto D'Aubuisson Arrieta (23 August 1943 – 20 February 1992) was a neo-fascist Salvadoran soldier, politician and death squad leader. In 1981, he co-founded and became the first leader of the far-right Nationalist Republican Alliance ...

accused Jaime Abdul Gutiérrez Avendaño of imposing on the Assembly "his personal decision to put Álvaro Alfredo Magaña Borja in the presidency" in spite of a "categorical no" from the ARENA deputies. Magaña was sworn into office on 2 May.Schooley, Helen (1987) ''Conflict in Central America'' Harlow: Longman, p63

Results

Of the seven abstaining votes, four were from PCN members, two from National Republican Alliance members and one from a Salvadoran Popular Party member.

References

Bibliography

*Motley, Langhorne A. Elections in El Salvador: August 3, 1983. Washington, D.C.: Department of State. 1983. *Political Handbook of the world, 1972. New York, 1973. {{Salvadoran presidential elections Presidential elections in El Salvador 1982 in El Salvador El Salvador April 1982 events in North America