El Siglo newspaper’s Penn, Schoen & Berland survey showed that if the elections were held today, Hipólito Mejía of the PRD would receive 44% of the vote, Joaquin Balaguer of the PRSC 24% and Danilo Medina of the PLD, 23%. In January, this same poll showed results of 50% PRD, 20% Balaguer and 27% PLD. And when the same question was asked in October 1999, voters answered 52% PRD, 22% PRSC and 23% PLD. PLD. To win the 16 May 2000 presidential election, a candidate needs 50%+1 of the vote. This is the first time one of the leading polls shows the 94-year old candidate leading the PLD candidate. Only a week ago, Balaguer chose middle-aged Jacinto Peynado to be his running mate. This added new vitality to the party, as Balaguer is barely capable of speaking in public more than three minutes at a time. Jacinto Peynado was the PRSC presidential candidate in the 1996 election. At that time 435,504 Dominicans voted for him, despite lukewarm support from party leader, President Balaguer. The PLD is in power today with the support of Balaguer. Balaguer’s case is a legendary in American political history of the Americas. Never before had a man so old held the fascination of Dominicans for so long. News reports say that security was doubled at the Balaguer residence. Balaguer is considered to hold the key to who wins he next election, but after accepting the candidacy in January and choosing Jacinto Peynado as his vice presidential candidate he incredibly is now a serious contender for the important second place position. If none of the voters wins 50%+1 of the vote, a second round will be held 30 June 2000. In that round whoever wins the most votes wins the presidency.
