When questioned on the TV program “El Dia” about the possibility of electoral fraud, the head of state said: “I am convinced that nothing is going to happen. That phase has been overcome in this country, fortunately.” He mentioned that the government has allotted the Central Electoral Board a budget of RD$1.83 billion to organize the election this year, which is 157% more than what was granted last year. Mejia said that the only friend he has in the JCE is Judge Rafael Diaz Vasquez. He attributed people’s concern over electoral fraud to “the fear of some people who want to win with 1% — but that is not possible,” he said, as reported in the Listin Diario.