The Central Electoral Board’s (JCE) independent monitoring committee, headed by Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado, has come out strongly against the proposed Ley de Lemas. The implementation of the law could jeopardize the Presidential elections scheduled for 16 May, as well as violate the rights of the other parties’ Presidential candidates. The committee’s secretary, Radhames Mejia, described the proposed law as “worrisome and inopportune.” The monitoring committee recommended that any changes to electoral law be held off until after the election, giving practical as well as legal reasons for the proposal. Radhames Mejia said that it was inconceivable that a comprehensive change of this nature could be implemented, which would mean redesigning the mechanics of the elections, including the software, and having to retrain all the workers who operate the polling stations, as well as the voters themselves. “What the nation needs now is a straightforward and transparent election, without complications, to restore credibility to the electoral process, both within the country and with our trading partners.” According to the committee, this would help the country come out of the crisis it is experiencing. “Let’s work together with the JCE towards free, transparent and credible elections, with its commitment to holding the 16 May election without major difficulties” was the declaration by the committee as it presented its findings to the press yesterday. The committee is made up of Lisandro Macarrulla, Rafael Perello, Marisol Vicens, Jose Joaquin Puello, Celso Marranzini and Reverend Reinaldo Franco Aquino, as well as Monsignor Nunez Collado and Radhames Mejia. Civil Society organization Participacion Ciudadana, which is active in hands-on election monitoring, also expressed vehement opposition to the proposed change, saying it would have the opposite effect to its stated aim of restoring party unity. Diario Libre’s main editorial comment outlines the growing resistance to the “Ley de Lemas”, saying that political parties cannot go on confusing their roles with that of government. “To try and use institutions and laws to defuse internal party disputes is a disservice to democracy which society should not sit back and accept.”