The electoral law gives the Central Electoral Board (JCE) two days to deliver the vote tally for the municipal elections. That means all the results should be in this evening or tomorrow at the latest.
The preliminary vote count with 20% of the polling places remaining as of 16 March indicates that the opposition party, the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) displaced ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) governments from most cities. The preliminary numbers show that the PRM had won 82 of the 158 city halls, including by far most of the larger city governments. The PRM will now rule in 23 of the 32 city governments in provincial capitals and the National District. The PRM won in 15 of the 18 largest municipalities.
Sociologist and political analyst Rosario Espinal summed up the results saying: “The elections were a referendum on the PLD governments.” She pinpointed the critical situation the Sunday election means for the ruling government party. She says the party has lost the support of the Dominican middle class. She forecast difficult days for the Medina administration that needs to implement preventive actions while keeping the country working.
In a presentation on Monday, 16 March 2020, the PLD presidential candidate of the PLD, Gonzalo Castillo admitted the defeat of the party in the municipal election but highlighted that the difference was only 2.66% when taking into account the number of votes. He read from a document and congratulated the Dominican people for its behavior during the elections. “The biggest winner of these elections is the Dominican people who once again has shown to the world its commitment with democracy, freedom and political governance,” he said. He recognized the participation of national and international observers, saying their work had been key to the success of the elections.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
17 March 2020