"A slap in the face of the Dominican people," was how a PPC member of the Chamber of Deputies described it. "Arrogant," "self-important," and "intemperate," were a few of the other adjectives bestowed by outraged legislators on Central Elections Board President (JCE) Ramon Morel Cerda for returning to his office when no legislators appeared for a scheduled meeting. "If I’m invited to appear at 10:00 a.m., and my hosts don’t appear at 10:00 a.m., I march. I’ve got things to do," said Morel Cerda when quizzed by reporters on his behavior yesterday. The JCE official had been invited to respond to legislators’questions regarding his powerful organization’s readiness to conduct the May 16th elections and to clarify issues raised by the recent test of voter registration roster accuracy. His behavior was justified by a PRD party deputy as reflecting "a man with a strict notion of life who’s always punctual." Another deputy said that Morel Cerda’s action demonstrates a need to conceal the "big mess" within the JCE, while the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Rafaela Albuquerque, described his action "babyish," and "grandstanding." But she added that a new invitation will be issued.
