El Dia newspaper reports today that the Mejia administration spent RD$80 billion in the first five months of the year between current and capital expenditures ? equal to two thirds of the National Budget. For this period, RD$44 billion had been allotted to government expenditures. El Dia points out that the additional money was spent to secure votes for the re-election of President Mejia in the 16 May contest. The newspaper mentions among the clientelistic tactics of the Mejia government the increased pensions of retired military and police members; the RD$100 million for the distribution of 3,500 motorcycles under Plan Renove on 10 May 2004; the inauguration of hospitals, small public works, highways, and sidewalks, among others, which called for a last-minute investment of RD$11.7 billion.