In the Sunday edition, Hoy newspaper publishes results of its 10-13 April presidential candidate poll. According to the Hoy-Hamilton poll, if the election were held today, Hipólito Mejía (PRD) would receive 40% of the vote, Danilo Medina (PLD) 26% and Joaquin Balaguer (PRSC) 25%. When compared to the March poll, Mejía declined three points, Medina and Balaguer increased one point. The poll also showed that 6% were undecided, and 3% said they would not vote. Some 1,200 potential voters were interviewed for the survey. The results of this poll reaffirm that it is most likely a runoff election will be necessary. To win in the 16 May election, a candidate must receive 50%+1 of the vote. The way the system is set up, the minority party vote may decide who will be the next President. The same survey showed 49% felt the Fernández government had been a bad government, while and 48% felt it has been a good government. The government’s approval rate is down two points from the March survey.
