Initial reports on the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC) primaries show former Santiago senator Eduardo Estrella leading former Vice President Jacinto Peynado by a small margin. In recent polls, the PRSC ranked second among the three leading political parties, with the PLD in front. These are the first primaries of the PRSC party following the death of its former leader Joaquin Balaguer.
Peynado had said prior to the voting that if Estrella were to win, he would lend him his support. He said this support would be retracted, however, if Estrella?s ulterior motives were to back Hipolito Mejia?s re-election aspirations. Estrella is a new phenomenon in Dominican politics, whose rapid ascent Peynado attributes to a multi million-peso campaign, funded by the deep pockets of the PPH faction, whose goal is the re-election of President Mej?a.
There is speculation that the primaries could ultimately divide the PRSC and Peynado has already alleged incidents of fraud in San Pedro de Macor?s.
Peynado entered the primaries with the support of Federico (Quique) Ant?n, Carlos Morales Troncoso and Hector Rodriguez Pimentel. Estrella?s supporters included Tito Hernandez, Jose Hazim and Alexis Joaquin Castillo.
With slightly more than 21% of the votes counted, the first bulletin showed Estrella led by 3,735 votes over Peynado. Estrella registered 52.51% of the total, and Peynado 47.49%.
The second bulletin showed Estrella leading with 50.21% of the vote. Estrella garnered 87,283 votes versus the 84,086 votes for Peynado, who was allotted 49.07% of the vote. The party had announced it would issue four bulletins.
The winner of these primaries will be the PRSC candidate in the May 2004 presidential elections.