In just two weeks, on 19 May 2024, millions of Dominicans will diligently go to the polls to elect their President for the next four years.
As is typical in this type of event, passions are high. The JCE seeks to prevent any clashes that could disrupt the public peace at the voting stations. As a result of this, Major General Juan Jose Otaño Jimenez, commander of the Electoral Military Police, will head some 56,000 members of the Dominican military and the National Police charged with maintaining domestic tranquility on election day, Sunday, 19 May 2024. There are some 16, 857 polling units spread out in 4,298 election locations in the entire nation, thus their work is cut out for them.
The main mission of the Election Military Police is to protect the election machinery, equipment, personnel and the ballots. The force is also in charge of maintaining order in the areas surrounding the voting stations.
Although there has been some opposition to General Otaño Jimenez, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) has no authority to remove the officer, who was appointed to his post by President Luis Abinader last August 2023.
By law, all military personnel as well as all members of the National Police are to be in their barracks with the exception of the Military Election Police.
The announcement of the JCE military presence comes after a controversy erupted when former President Danilo Medina urged his followers to topple ruling political party setups outside the polling stations.
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Listin Diario
6 May 2024