The controversial Ley de Lemas, or Preferential Presidential Vote, went through a preliminary phase of being made into law with a first reading by the senators yesterday evening. Of those 25 present, 19 voted in favor, and the remaining 6 voted against. The sense of urgency awarded to the occasion was truncated, however, by no less than five power interruptions. Diario Libre claims the rush was aimed at avoiding the protests of the laws’ opponents, who succeeded in sabotaging its smooth passage through Congress last week. In addition, there was some argument between the senators, some of whom understood the law would go through a first stage, and others who believed they had to approve it once and for all. Senator Rafael Diaz Filpo, a supporter of Rafael Subervi Bonilla, tried to have it fast-tracked, but was met with opposition from Pedro Antonio Luna and other members of the Senate. The proposed law is scheduled to be debated in a second reading next Tuesday, according to El Caribe. The Chamber of Deputies has also been ordered to reconvene on Monday. The bill was initially submitted to the Chamber of Deputies, but later switched to be approved first in the Senate where the PRD is majority with 30 of 32 senators. The ratification of the Ley de Lemas would allow each political party to present up to five Presidential candidates in the elections, whose total vote count would be transferred to the candidate polling the highest number among them. Outside of the PRD, the electoral reform bill has been met with widespread hostility and was boycotted by the lower house of Congress when it was first presented. It is seen as a means of overriding the ruling PRD’s internal problems and enabling President Hipolito Mejia to stand for a second term, despite the disagreements within his party. But most opponents say that it would create electoral chaos at a time when independent polls show that the opposition would win in a first round under the present electoral rules. Two prominent opposition senators, the PRSC’s Jose Hazim and the PLD’s Jose Tomas Perez, walked out of the session, but others, like German Castro (PRSC), remained in the Chamber and supported the proposal. The senators voting against were the PRD’s Tonty Rutinel, Vicente Castillo, Ramiro Espino and Antonio del Villar. The head of the committee who studied the proposed law, Anibal Garcia Duverge (PRD), said that consultations would be made with the Central Electoral Board (JCE) and the Supreme Court before reaching the final stage — the second reading. They would also need to determine whether it is practical to apply the new reforms in time for the May election and whether it is compatible with the Constitution. Garcia Duverge said they hope to set a meeting with JCE president Luis Arias today (Friday). The senators are also planning to meet with former President and PLD candidate Leonel Fernandez, as well as with the PRSC candidate, Eduardo Estrella.