Central Electoral Board (JCE) president Julio Castaños Guzmán told government officers to “watch it and take care not to commit irregularities.” He made the remarks after the naming of Medina cabinet ministers and government agency heads to campaign for former Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo. Castillo served as minister of Public Works from 16 August 2012 to 5 August 2019, when he resigned to seek the PLD presidential nomination in the 6 October 2019 primary. His leading contender is former President Leonel Fernández.
The active participation of the high-ranking government officers in the campaign violates Government Officer Law 41-08 and Political Parties Law 33-18. Government officers are banned from political campaigning activities and obliged to take a 90-day leave of absence for campaigning.
The announcement of the all-out support of Medina government ministers and officers to the campaign of pre-candidate Gonzalo Castillo has met with widespread criticism on alternative media, social media and in the press.
Follow the story in Spanish:
Z101 Digital
Acento
Listin Diario
Acento
YouTube – Huchi Lora on Law 41-08
17 September 2019