In the PRD?s closing campaign rally, President Hipolito Mejia told the nation that he is leading in the polls and would win in a first round, ?or in the second round.? Appealing to the affections for the memory of the late PRD party leader, Jose Francisco Pena Gomez, Mejia stirred the pride of PRD followers, saying, ?United, the PRD cannot be divided.?
He promised that the next government that would begin on 16 August would have new energies, goals and hopes for a better national system of democracy.
He picked on his top contender Leonel Fernandez, accusing him of referring to Dominican farmers as potential criminals. In one of his TV presentations, Fernandez had stated that the rural exodus of farmers to the cities converts them into potential criminals. Mejia stressed his farming background, as well as that of Joaquin Balaguer, the long-time PRSC statesman. He warned Dominicans that Fernandez would take away subsidies for power and propane gas that his new government would maintain. He reminded that his administration had delivered 180,000 government property titles, and would deliver 200,000 more to benefit the thousands of families that live in the barrios and farm areas. Mejia also emphasized that his government had offered 200,000 housing solutions and that by the end of his government would have delivered 400,000 in total to give the poor adequate dwellings, and more would be forthcoming in his next government.
He picked on Fernandez for saying they would not subsidize social security, and assured that he would continue to back the social security law passed in his government to benefit 1.3 million people. He promised to increase the RD$300 monthly subsidy to public school children to RD$500 and to expand the number of children who benefit from 100,000 to 300,000 nationwide.
Mejia called attention to his salvaging of the savings of 700,000 depositors at the collapsed Baninter bank, and said he would do it again if he had to because his legs do not tremble.
He also promised fair and transparent election proceedings.
?Prepare to receive your beating. The beating is in order. He who has lost, loses; he who has won, wins,? he stated, highlighting that ?the nation is above the personal ego without justification of some people that have never been anyone nor will ever be.? He asserted that ?these hands under no circumstance would do anything against Dominican democracy.?
?I now understand why they are saying ?Out they go? (PLD campaign slogan of ?E? pa fuera que van?),? rallied President Mejia. ?Let us save ourselves from the disgrace of irresponsible handling of government, of the savings of so many Dominicans, of complicity with banks and institutions that schemed against the country, of the disgrace of backing banking holes,? he stated towards the end of the event, as he urged voters to save the country from a disgraceful lack of hope and a bleak future if the ?comesolos? return to Calle Dr Delgado.
Mejia recommended that his followers arrive early to cast their ballots. ?Your vote is very important, whether you have to go in pick-up trucks, on buses, donkeys, by horse or by motoconcho?.? He then went on to avow that the time had come to favor the ?motoconchistas,? (the motorcycle drivers) and reminded them that the financing for their new vehicles had arrived and that he would continue with the plan, as these individuals play an important role in national transport. Mejia also recommended that Dominicans bring their umbrellas on election day and of the results said ?We will be letting you know?? although people should wait until 6pm for any indication. ?He who leaves the base early should not think that I won?t do the same ? I will catch him at the first, second or third base,? said Mejia, right before asking God to bless the Dominican people and the late Pena Gomez.