At 8:00 p.m. last night, Hipolito Mejia and Milagros Ortiz Bosch were officially declared winners of the presidential election conducted this past Tuesday, May 16. The declaration was read by Manuel Ramon Morel Cerda, head of the Central Elections Board (JCE), and broadcast on all local radio and TV stations. At the time of the announcement, the victorious PRD ticket remained a few decimal places distant from the constitutionally prescribed minimum vote 50% +1. However, the decision announced three hours earlier by runner-up Danila Medina not to compete in a second election round, paved the way for the JCE to exercise another clause of the election law. The law provides that if the second place party chooses not to participate in a run-off election, the JCE can declare as winner the party with the highest vote total. Seven hours earlier, Medina had announced the decision of the central committee of the PLD to "offer our congratulations to the winners." Speaking for the committee, Medina had told a room packed with reporters and supporters, "In order to guarantee the peace and tranquillity of the country, we decline the legal right to participate in a second electoral round, and appeal to our PLD comrades for acquiescence and confidence in us." However, it became immediately evident that not all of those who had voted for Medina were prepared to go along with the decision. Angry outbursts were immediately heard among PLD stalwarts. One prominent party member, Juana Mendez, called Medina "a traitor." Another declared "this party is in mourning." One even went so far as to suggest that the PLD’s withdrawal from further competition was conditioned upon a promise by the incoming administration not to indict government officials for acts of corruption while in office. But if Medina’s concession was badly received among his own followers, the victorious Mejia praised it. "I want to profoundly thank [Medina]", he said. "His attitude paves the way for a real national dialogue." President Leonel Fernandez, who went of TV and radio at 8:00 p.m., to explain the PLD’s decision and to congratulate the winning team, echoed the harmonious note. Fernandez said that he would appoint a high level commission to smooth the transition to the Mejia administration that takes office on August 16. The president was philosophical about his party’s rejection at the polls, but stated that "tomorrow brings another opportunity."
