Lawyer Angel Lockward submitted a request to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) regarding the suspension of the 16 February 2020 municipal elections. Lockward argues that the suspension violates the right to elect and be elected of millions of Dominicans. In the request for the opinion of the TSE, Lockward argued that the Central Electoral Board (JCE) does not have the authority to suspend the elections.
“The only ones that are competent to suspend and call for extraordinary elections are the electoral boards, which are ultimately the ones that could declare the suspension of the process in the places where there were problems,” said the politician.
He said the Constitution confers on the JCE the responsibility to organize and direct the elections, but not to suspend or call elections, whether general, ordinary or extraordinary.
Lockward stated that when an electoral board suspends the election for any reason, it is the TSE that has the power to call for extraordinary elections and restore violated rights, as provided for in the Electoral Law.
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N Digital
19 February 2020