Breakdown in democracy in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is currently experiencing what could be its biggest democratic crisis in recent decades. Last Sunday, February 16, the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the autonomous body responsible for administering and conducting electoral processes in the country, suspended the municipal elections due to its inability to guarantee citizens' right to vote and the right of candidates from the various parties to be elected.
The voting was suspended four hours after it began due to serious failures in the automated voting system. It is still unknown whether the malfunction of the machines was intentional or a technical error. In either case, this situation demonstrates the vulnerability of the electoral system and the low levels of oversight by the competent authorities to guarantee transparency in the process.
The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has called for new elections without consulting political parties or providing any explanation for what happened on February 16. Neither the JCE nor the Public Prosecutor's Office has conducted an effective investigation to determine what occurred and identify those responsible. This situation has created an atmosphere of distrust and uncertainty, and has led to serious questions about the board itself and the ruling party.
Dominican social organizations and mobilized citizens are alarmed that the Dominican State and political leadership are delegating essential functions such as organizing elections, investigations, and administering justice to non-national bodies such as the OAS.
The public has vehemently condemned this event since February 16th. Peaceful demonstrations, largely led by young people, have taken place in public squares across the country, expressing their discontent with the current political system. Despite being peaceful demonstrations featuring artistic expressions, spontaneous signs, and open microphones, they have been met with repression by the National Police, including tear gas, the arrest of people carrying signs, and other acts of intolerance.
These events have not prevented thousands of people in different parts of the country and abroad from continuing to express their discontent peacefully and forcefully, demanding answers and promoting participation in the elections.
We, as CLACSO Centers, remain vigilant to ensure that the necessary guarantees are demonstrated through concrete actions so that we can exercise our right to vote in a transparent process. We call for the fulfillment of the collective's demands, which include: observation and recording of the vote counts; guarantees of manual voting in the municipal and presidential/congressional elections; a thorough investigation into the events of February 16, with clear sanctions imposed on those responsible; regular meetings with all political delegates, from the date of the events until the elections; a public apology from the full Central Electoral Board (JCE), accepting the consequences of its decisions; a change in the size of the ballots for March 15 (to guarantee transparency), and the incineration of those used on February 16; protection of the chain of custody for the equipment used in the automated voting system until the investigation is completed; and increased security at polling stations with electoral military personnel. From the CLACSO Centers in the Dominican Republic, we welcome the commitment to these guarantees and demand their full compliance.
At the same time, we express our concern about this breakdown of the Dominican democratic system. We extend our support to the citizens demonstrating nationwide and to the Dominican diaspora who have responded in kind. We condemn all forms of repression and intimidation against those peacefully exercising this right.
Sign:
- Juan Bosch Foundation
- Alternative City Association
- Multi-thematic School
- CLACSO International Health Working Group
- GT Crisis, Responses and Alternatives in the Greater Caribbean
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