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Election Date: May 16, 2004

At stake: President

Background

The Dominican Republic shares the Hispaniola Island with Haiti, and seceded in 1844. After the 31-year dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo ended with his assassination in 1961, three parties—aside from brief periods of unrest—have dominated the country's political arena.

The ruling Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD—Dominican Revolutionary Party) was able to bounce back in the 2000 election, after former president Jorge Blanco was found guilty of corruption during his tenure (1982-1986).

On Jan. 15, PRD lawmakers suggested some alterations to the country's electoral system. The ruling party was looking for an amendment to allow every political organization to nominate as many as five presidential candidates. The proposal failed after opposition parties refused to attend the session.

President Hipólito Mejía saw his popularity dwindle over economic problems, increasing demands for higher wages and an energy crisis. Mejía ran for re-election, after winning the PRD's internal primary. Several prospective rivals boycotted the vote, alleging state funds were used to boost Mejía's candidacy.

The Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD—Dominican Liberation Party) was counting on a former president to return to power. Leonel Fernández won the 1996 vote in a run-off, becoming the country's youngest head of state at age 42. Fernández registered considerable support in voting intention polls during all stages of the campaign.

The Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC—Social Christian Reformist Party) became a household name by electing three-time president Joaquín Balaguer in four different decades. Former senator Eduardo Estrella was the PRSC's presidential nominee.

On Jan. 20, the Electoral Commission announced the official start of campaign activities. If no candidate received more than 50 per cent of the vote on May 16, a run-off would take place on Jun. 27.

On May 14, PLD representatives asked the Electoral Commission to look into purported fraudulent activity. The complaint alleged that workers at the Electoral Tribunal illegally printed copies of the voters roll with the intention of handing them to members of the ruling PRD.

Voting took place on May 16. Observers from the Organization of American States (OAS)—as well as close to 6,000 chosen citizens—monitored the election.

In the southwestern town of Barahona, an argument between supporters of different candidates on election day resulted in three deaths. Police officers and soldiers were deployed all over the country to maintain security, and few complaints of irregularities were reported.

More than 52,000 Dominican citizens who reside in Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Spain cast their ballots for the first time in a presidential election.

Final results were released on May 19, giving Fernández a first-round victory with 57.11 per cent of the vote followed by Mejía with 33.65 per cent and Estrella with 8.65 per cent.

Fernández took the oath of office for the second time on Aug. 16. The former president has vowed to bring back the economic prosperity of his first term in the late 1990s, when the national economy grew by 8.0 per cent.

Political Players

President: Leonel Fernández - PLD

The president is elected to a four-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Congreso de la República (Congress of the Republic) has two chambers. The Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies) has 150 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation. The Senado (Senate) has 32 members, elected to four-year terms in single-seat constituencies.

Results of Last Election:

President - May 16, 2004

Congress of the Republic - May 16, 2002

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