How to spend election day?

[james]

Is Super Pola open today?

Yes Pola is open, I just came back from there. (about 2pm) Lots of expats and others there.

As mentioned Playero is closed.

 

[Expat13]

Before going on with your speculation, just tell us how do the alleged buyer knows the 'seller' actually vote the way the buyer wants. Does that make sense to you?
See my previous post.

You nailed it, its illogical. Now Virgo, please, a serious question. Do you honestly believe common sense is a strong suit amongst the people here? And I don't mean the top percentile, the masses who vote.

 

[cavok]

i started the day from texting DANILO EN PRIMERA VUELTA to my SIL who is a PRM supporter. :devious::devious::devious:

the distance is not that likely to affect voting. newspapers write about good participation so far, SD metro is free today and it's been reported that PLD was offering tickets for travelers leaving SD to vote:
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...ialista-utiliza-recursos-del-pueblo-YF3676001

there is lots of police and military on the streets and in many places the traffic around JCE buildings is diverted. i would not expect any problems today. maybe some small arguments among the voters at voting stations which always happens. but no burning tires, and general disquietude.

lots of bars/restaurants will surely be open, already newspapers reported violations of the law prohibiting work and alcohol sales. certain businesses, like hotels or gas stations, for example, are exempt from this anyways.

we are having some friends for dinner in the evening and that's about it. meanwhile i'm gonna crack open a bottle of cune reserve and keep checking the news all day.

I went in to Cabarete last night around 11pm. All the bars were closed and the few restaurants that were open said they couldn't sell alcohol(?). Several locals in town said no alcohol anywhere today until 3 hours after election closes(whenever that is?). I'm sure there is some hole-in-the-wall colmado somewhere you can buy beer.

 

[NY-DR Commuter]

I am RIGHT NOW, 200 yards away from the polling station in Los Charamicos, Sos?a. I have NEVER in all my years living down here seen such blatant attempts at "vote buying", EVER.

Again to the OP, this year the election for mayor here in Sos?a will perfectly epitomize the voting process here in the Dominican Republic. You are going to get the chance to see first hand how an election can be bought. Watch and enjoy, I AM!!!

 

[Expat13]

I am RIGHT NOW, 200 yards away from the polling station in Los Charamicos, Sos?a. I have NEVER in all my years living down here seen such blatant attempts at "vote buying", EVER.

Again to the OP, this year the election for mayor here in Sos?a will perfectly epitomize the voting process here in the Dominican Republic. You are going to get the chance to see first hand how an election can be bought. Watch and enjoy, I AM!!!

Come on..... This happens everywhere in the world!!!

 

[wrecksum]

So far nice and calm in Sosua. It is quite nice to wander around with everything closed and most people are around the polling area where I didn't venture.

So a day by the pool and a bit of tinkering around the home is about all I'll be up to today (and maybe tomorrow but let's see if it stays calm).

I don't have a vote so the politics are absolutely none of my business so I'll keep away.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

I went to Los Charamicos after Sosua. It is simply amazing to see. It's no wonder "they" do not want Int'l observers. I cannot fathom how a certain somebody can say what they have typed with a straight face. I see no evidence of order or integrity outside the polls I visited. I can't get inside so I can't comment on what must certainly be a similar fiasco.

...at least nothing is burning yet.

 

[the gorgon]

Once again, please explain how do the buyer know that the seller won't take the money and just vote for whichever candidate s/he was going to vote any way.

Even vote buyers don't like to throw their money away. Does that make sense?

Same for those who allegedly "buy cedulas". How can they be sure they don't end up buying the cedula of someone who would have not voted anyhow, or would have voted for the buyer's own candidate (or perhaps would take the money and still vote for her/his preferred candidate with another cedule that the 'seller' had obtained after claiming to have lost the first one).

Without those clarifications we can safely assume that the allegations are just that.

ok, Virgo. we all concede, collectively. everyone else is wrong, and you are right. buying cedulas is a myth.

 

[Virgo]

I am RIGHT NOW, 200 yards away from the polling station in Los Charamicos, Sos?a. I have NEVER in all my years living down here seen such blatant attempts at "vote buying", EVER.

Once again, how does the 'buyer' know that the 'seller' will vote his way? Do not confuse vote buying with giving something to a voter HOPING that he will vote for your candidate. Vote buying must have a way to enforce the delivery of the desired good.

 

[Virgo]

ok, Virgo. we all concede, collectively. everyone else is wrong, and you are right. buying cedulas is a myth.

Explain what I have ask before: how does the cedula 'buyer' know that he is actually getting something for his money. See above.

 

[bob saunders]

Here at the parke central in Jarabacoa there is no sign of vote buying but at several of theother poll stations it was not directly in the open but hardly hidden.

 

[Harleysrock]

I went in to Cabarete last night around 11pm. All the bars were closed and the few restaurants that were open said they couldn't sell alcohol(?). Several locals in town said no alcohol anywhere today until 3 hours after election closes(whenever that is?). I'm sure there is some hole-in-the-wall colmado somewhere you can buy beer.

I got detained for selling booze last night and we are a hotel. MANY restaurants and places were selling alcohol yesterday afternoon and last night.

 

[Expat13]

Once again, how does the 'buyer' know that the 'seller' will vote his way? Do not confuse vote buying with giving something to a voter HOPING that he will vote for your candidate. Vote buying must have a way to enforce the delivery of the desired good.

Why do you keep repeating this nonsense. Nobody here has stated the politicos have a brilliant sound strategy of buying votes. They rely on the lack of common sense as well. Tick this box here and I will give you a 1000dop. Many will do as instructed and some will not. Does this matter and make right? The purpose of the discussion is twofold.
1) How can something so wrong be blatant and openly done at polling booths?
2) Why do the people who continue to blame their government for all the problems, sell their vote to this same party?

 

[GuillermoRamon]

Break the rules, find an out of the way colmado selling booze, should be an adventure...

 

[Virgo]

You nailed it, its illogical. Now Virgo, please, a serious question. Do you honestly believe common sense is a strong suit amongst the people here? And I don't mean the top percentile, the masses who vote.

Stop your slurs.

And I am talking about THE BUYER who supposedly is spending a huge amount of money to 'purchase' votes. How on earth does he know he is actually getting votes (as opposed to people taking his money and doing whatever they want inside the polling place).

 

[bob saunders]

Once again, how does the 'buyer' know that the 'seller' will vote his way? Do not confuse vote buying with giving something to a voter HOPING that he will vote for your candidate. Vote buying must have a way to enforce the delivery of the desired good.

Well they wouldnt waste the money if it wasnt somewhat effective. The point is they should be arrested for even trying to do it.

 

[dv8]

peaceful atmosphere throughout:
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/05/15/tiroteo-obliga-cerrar-centro-votacion-dajabon

 

[Expat13]

Stop your slurs.

And I am talking about THE BUYER who supposedly is spending a huge amount of money to 'purchase' votes. How on earth does he know he is actually getting votes (as opposed to people taking his money and doing whatever they want inside the polling place).

Slurs... Are really this na?ve and having a hard time reading what is being said? Read all posts again see the true point of the vote buying discussions. Its being done!!! Right? do you agree and see this? It is wrong, do you agree and see this? Nobody is asking nor cares how successful their strategy is...

 

[Virgo]

1) How can something so wrong be blatant and openly done at polling booths?
2) Why do the people who continue to blame their government for all the problems, sell their vote to this same party?

The point is that it may NOT be happening at all. Yeah people may offer voters appliances, money, food or whatever and HOPE they will vote their way.

In other countries they actually do WORSE. They offer them a benefit check for the entire year. The purpose is similar.

Except that the one getting a check does have an incentive to keep in government the party that supports him/her.

Lots os people say openly that if offered something by the government they will take and STILL vote against the government. If you rfollowed Dominican media you'd know about it.

Even back in the first of Balaguer runs in the 70's some people often chanted: Le cogimos la fundita y no somos reformistas meaning "we took the little bag (with goods) and we are NOT reformist" (reformist were Balaguer's supporters).

People aren't as STUPID as you make them out to be. That goes for alleged 'buyers' and alleged 'sellers' alike.

 

[Matilda]

Stop your slurs.

And I am talking about THE BUYER who supposedly is spending a huge amount of money to 'purchase' votes. How on earth does he know he is actually getting votes (as opposed to people taking his money and doing whatever they want inside the polling place).

There is no supposedly about it and IT DOESN'T BLOODY MATTER IF HE THINKS HE IS GETTING VOTES just the general consensus it that is the way it is done. And, they trust the people to do WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN PAID TO DO which is to vote for the person WHO PAID THEM.

Matilda