Vice President Jacinto Peynado, presidential candidate for the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, condemned the fact that several of the principal executives of the Junta Central Electoral’s Computer Center, have “strong ties” to the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano. He referred by name to the center’s director, Ramon Antonio Mueses Estrada, Miguel Gil Mejía, and Michel Roig, a Haitian. He said that those technicians, who he respects as professionals, were in high positions in the State Sugar Council (CEA) during the administration of Eulogio Santaella under ex-President Salvador Jorge Blanco. He said they worked on a CEA-World Bank program.
The president of the JCE, César Estrella Sahdalá contested the statement by the PRSC candidate. He said that Ramon Mueses does not belong to any party, and as for Michel Roig, he said he would be investigated after the presentation of proof by Mr Peynado. He said that if such proof was forthcoming, the JCE would take whatever measures are necessary to guarantee the impartiality of its officers. He said that since he was appointed he has received numerous accusations about JCE officers having political affiliations, but unless firm evidence is presented, the organization will not take any decision that affects its employees or officers. He said that if the judges of the JCE had heeded all such accusations, there would nobody left working at the institution.
He said, “May I step forward for personal attacks, because I am the one who has most family members within the parties and who has worked in all the governments.”
Mr Peynado also said that the JCE has not told 116,000 people that they are not eligible to vote since inquiries as to the status of their late birth registrations have not been cleared. He said that these people should be notified of their situation, to avoid a situation similar to that in 1994, when the PRD said that 200,000 people were not on the lists and could not vote. The JCE and the parties have been aware of the situation since January, he said, but thousands of those that will not be able to vote have not been notified. He said the number is about 4% of the potential voters. The JCE has, through the news media, requested that those with late birth declarations, two cedulas, or members of the military who have been given civilian cedulas or minors, should visit their assigned JCE office to ascertain their voting status.
The president of the JCE, César Estrella Sahdalá, has admitted that the voting list has many irregularities that he says he has inherited. He said that the final list, following the observations of the parties, will be made known this coming week.