Members of the election observation mission of the Democratic Initiative of Spain and the Americas (IDEA), former President Andres Pastrana of Colombia and former President Jamil Mahuad of Ecuador praised the 18 February municipal election in the Dominican Republic as “calm, orderly and enthusiastic.”
In their report released on Wednesday, 28 February 2024 in the Dominican Republic, the former Presidents concluded the municipal vote of 18 February 2024 took place without major setbacks.
The mission focused on the levels of free political participation, organization of the process, use of technology, information channels and financing.
According to the observers, the municipal elections took place peacefully with the exception of incidents that occurred in the provinces of Azua and Montecristi.
They also considered that the participation (46.67%), “although it was lower than usual in presidential votes, falls within the Dominican average for this type of process.”
Likewise, they congratulated the Dominican people for responsibly exercising their political rights. The mission valued the channels of communication and dialogue between the different political actors and the JCE for democratic strengthening and the appropriate use of technologies for the transmission and dissemination of results.
“In a matter of five days, the entire count was completed in the 158 districts, so we reiterate our congratulations to the Central Electoral Board and its staff,” they added.
In the document, the mission invites the Dominican authorities to continue perfecting the country’s electoral system, “in order to expand these achievements, which serve as an example in the region, especially when free, fair, competitive elections take place, periodic and credible.
In the municipal elections of February 18, widely won by the PRM, 158 mayors, 1,164 councilors, 235 municipal directors and 735 members were chosen, a call over 8.1 million Dominicans were called to participate.
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N Digital
29 February 2024