The Dominican Republic is set to hold its general elections on July 5, 2020, after a short delay attributed to the global coronavirus pandemic. Despite over 30,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 700 deaths recorded among its 10.6 million population, members of the electorates are getting ready to visit the polls to cast ballots that would determine who occupies the Caribbean country’s presidential seat, as well as 32 senatorial and 190 deputy seats.
General elections were initially scheduled for May 17, 2020.
Candidates Running
Leading the pack of candidates vying for the presidential seat is Luis Abinadar of the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), who polls have shown to be in the lead ahead of the elections despite announcing that he was positive for coronavirus on June 11. According to the poll site, Gallup, Abinadar currently polls at 53.7 per cent, well ahead of ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) candidate, Gonzalo Castillo, who has 35.5 per cent.
Coming in third place with 8.6 per cent is Leonel Fernandez, a former president and ally of incumbent President Danilo Medina, who ruled for a total of three-year terms between 1996 and 2012.
Abinader had unsuccessfully challenged Medina in the 2016 elections, where he lost, and barely got 35 per cent of votes.
Allegations of Corruption
PLD candidate, Gonzalo Castillo is also currently under fire for alleged cases of bribery and corruption. Castillo who once served as the Republic’s Public Work Minister in 2012, has been linked to contract scandals worth millions of dollars involving Brazillian construction conglomerate, Odebrecht, and his own aircraft company, Helidosa. Castillo has denied the allegations.
A Different Type of Elections
In the Dominican Republic, the pandemic has changed the dynamics of the electoral campaign with candidates unable to hold large campaign rallies. Parties have instead focused their strategy on small meetings with limited access to respect social distancing measures. The Electoral Commission has also urged voters to wear masks.
A runoff, if needed, is set to hold on July 26, 2020, with a new president and Congress expected to be inaugurated by August 16, 2020.
