The 1998 congressional and municipal election is seen as the end of the Dr. Balaguer’s decisive political influence. No longer will it be necessary to consult with Dr. Balaguer to pass a bill through Congress. Some 4,129,554 Dominicans were able to vote in the 10,174 voting stations all around the country. A high abstention characterized this election, though, with early reports estimating abstention at around 40%. Among factors causing the abstention were that in this election, with Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez absent, it was not necessary to vote against someone. But neither did the candidates motivate the persons to vote for. Political analysts say the young set did not vote as hoped. Also, the early Saturday morning rain affected the vote of women in Santo Domingo.
