The Junta Central Electoral, the body in charge of organizing the elections in the DR, published today a reminder that Electoral Law 275/97 bans public shows 24 hours before the election and on election day, 16 May. The idea is to give citizens time to reflect on whom they will vote for, without the noise of political campaigning. The JCE also notified citizens that alcohol beverage sales are banned at supermarkets, bars and restaurants for 24 hours prior to the election and three hours after the closing of the vote, that is up to 9 pm on Tuesday, 16 May. In the DR, election day is a day for friends and family to gather at home and await the results.Streets and avenues to avoid#Since Santo Domingo voters make up a third of the electoral vote in the Dominican Republic, political parties will be holding their campaign closings in the capital city. This means that special care should be taken to avoid certain capital city avenues and intersections that will suffer from major congestion. Promoters expect to attract 300,000 to 500,000 people to the closing congregations. Because school was called off on 15, 16 and 17 May, the campaign long weekend is also a good time to vacation at Dominican beach or mountain resorts. Whatever, unless you are covering the election for the media or would like to see how campaigning at its peak in the DR, avoid the following capital city streets: Friday, 12 May. Malecón (George Washington Avenue) and Máximo Gómez avenues. The PRSC will hold its closing activity today starting at 1 pm. Show with Kinito Méndez, Ricarena and Yarumba, three of the leading merengue bands. Saturday, 13 May. PLD closing congregation at John F. Kennedy with Máximo Gómez, starting at 3 pm. Sunday, 14 May. PRD congregation in Santo Domingo, starting at 10 am at the head of the Francisco del Rosario Sánchez bridge. Sunday, 14 May. PRSC big merengue party with Fernando Villalona along the Malecón. Sunday, 14 May. PLD closing in Santiago.
