Junta Central Electoral president Ramón Morel Cerda said his organization is ready to release 80% of electoral count by midnight of 16 May. He said the first results (20% of the total) will be available at 10 pm, four hours after the closing of the polls. Furthermore, Morel Cerda said that the government will spend RD$167 million to celebrate the 16 May presidential election. Of this amount, RD$35 million is being allotted to pay for the more than 60,000 Dominicans that will be employed. Some 11,400 voting stations are being set up nationwide. The JCE has authorized 30 international organizations to send observers. Another 7,500 Dominicans, primarily Participación Ciudadana volunteers, will have official observer status.
