Institute for Training and Studies in Democracy

The TSE shall have the Institute for Training and Studies in Democracy dedicated to the formulation of training programs targeted at the people and political parties tending to promote democratic values and civic participation, in line with regionalization principles.

The Institute shall have the following functions:

a) To prepare and execute training programs to encourage an active population, for which special attention shall be given to sectors with the greatest difficulties in participating in politics for regional, socio-economic or cultural reasons.

b) To organize education and training workshops throughout the country, and in rural areas in particular, aimed at providing people with information concerning the exercise of politico-electoral rights for the purpose of encouraging the participation of these people in local, provincial and national politics.

c) To provide political parties with training concerning issue of election administration, electoral justice, democracy and internal organization.

d) To collaborate with political parties in matters of citizen education, promoting virtual or self-study courses in electoral matters.

e) To collaborate with the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) in the formulation of civic education programs targeted at the student population in order to strengthen the civic and democratic values of people.

f) To provide information to the public concerning the democratic system and the role of popularly elected officials.

g) To provide elected officials with training in electoral issues and to coordinate with other public institutions to give courses relating to the exercise of public office.

h) To promote the development of investigations and publications about issues related to democracy and elections.

i) To administer a documentation centre specializing in democracy and elections that is accessible to the public and uses information technology.

j) Any other function assigned to it by the Tribunal. 

The budget of the TSE shall finance the operations of the Institute, without prejudice to the receipt of national and international donations by the Tribunal for the achievement of the objectives of the Institute and the signing of cooperation agreements with institutions or organizations associated with civic education and training, without any of this being capable of compromising the neutrality and independence of electoral organizations in any way. The Tribunal shall be empowered to deposit the donations in trusts that shall be established in the commercial banks of the State. 

Under no circumstances may the Institute promote a particular ideology or program.