The Superior Electoral Tribunal has ruled in favor of Costa Verde residents, ordering the Central Electoral Board (JCE) to ensure their right to vote in the National District’s Circumscription 1. This decision, outlined in ruling 0004/2025, acknowledges Costa Verde as part of the National District, settling a dispute that had placed it within the municipality of Santo Domingo West, Diario Libre reports.
The ruling reaffirms a 2023 Constitutional Court decision (0172/23), mandating the JCE to include Costa Verde residents in existing National District polling stations or create new ones within the urbanization.
Costa Verde’s legal representative, Aquiles Machuca, expressed gratitude for the court’s adherence to the law. He cited Law 163-01 and the Constitutional Court’s ruling as clear indicators of Costa Verde’s status within the National District.
The decision resolves a long-standing debate over Costa Verde’s jurisdiction. The Santo Domingo West City Hall is consulting its legal team for analysis, while Costa Verde’s neighborhood association maintains its National District affiliation, citing Law 166-01 and the 2023 Constitutional Court ruling.
Costa Verde residents have repeatedly called on the National District City Hall to acknowledge the Constitutional Court’s decision. They accuse Mayor Carolina Mejía’s administration of violating Law 163-01 by not recognizing Costa Verde’s proper jurisdiction.
The issue was recently addressed in a city council session, where Nerys Martínez, a representative of the Fuerza del Pueblo party, requested official notifications be sent to the Central Electoral Board, the political map committee, the Municipal League of the Dominican Republic, and the Comptroller General of the Republic. The request seeks to ensure that Costa Verde’s tax revenues are directed to the National District, rather than Santo Domingo West, as is currently the case.
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Diario Libre
2 April 2025