The president of the Junta Central Electoral, Dr. Juan Sully Bonnelly, warned political parties that if they choose to ally themselves for the May 16, 1998 congressional and municipal election, they would not be able to do so in the presidential election scheduled for year 2000. Dr. Sully Bonnelly said that the electoral law states that the political parties must participate without the support of allies in either the municipal and congressional or the presidential election within a four year period. In other words, if any of the parties pact now, they will not be able to do so in year 2000. Given this situation, it is very unlikely that any of the three major party will reach a formal alliance for this election. The date for formal alliances is February 16. The PRSC agreed to an informal alliance with the PLD prior to the second round of the 1996 presidential election.
