Everything involved with the primary has a reasonable explanation said Julio Castaños Guzmán, speaking during a press conference called on 15 October 2019. He said the Leonel Fernández team, in its challenge of the results of the 6 October ruling party primary, has been changing its story. He observed Fernández followers first mentioned the intervention of Russian hackers, then a Dominican man named Gomez, and now a version of an Indian hacker. He said that accusation without proof is defamation. He said the JCE is demanding proof of the accusations.
Castaños Guzmán said to clear doubts, a forensic technical audit is to be contracted. He said: “We are the first interested in clearing the situation. Democracy needs it. The party system, users, political activities need to be cleared to its last consequences. We are the most interested. We have no fear that the process be investigated and processed by a competent company. The JCE has decided to contract an internationally renowned company. The company will be announced and the time and the price of the service. We do not yet know the price, all else is speculation. “
The JCE president said the company would be hired via an urgency procedure not subject to a tender. He said they want to choose the best company with the most professional technicians. He said the results of the audit would serve those who are challenging the results and the JCE itself.
The JCE says that it is working because until 27 October is the calendar of events for other political parties. He said the JCE will await the results of the forensic technical audit, but that the work calendar continues at the JCE to organize the municipal, congressional and presidential elections in 2020.
He stated: “We are in the best disposition always to give all information that are requested. But I want to call attention that we were requested to give free IDs, and we did. We were asked for an audit and chose four universities and these gave their professional opinion. On 6 October there was a physical verification of 20% of the vote with the electronic results that confirmed the automated results. The physical vote count of 100% of the vote confirmed the electronic results. What more do they want?”
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16 October 2019