The obsession he has for power, who ruled in three periods, could lead voters to believe that former president Fernandez is making proposals outside of reality and sanity, such as protecting polling stations with military veterans and police.
Dr. Fernández has been radicalizing his position in the present electoral campaign since before the primary elections of his party, when he said that a fraud would be committed, and subsequent to them by stating that by an “algorithm” those elections were vitiated. The predictions of catastrophe have been up to date in this election campaign; the accusations have replaced the programs that the presidential candidates could present to the voters they want to conquer. A feeling of life or death covers the mood of many.
The former Chief of the National Police, retired Major General Rafael Guillermo Guzmán Fermín, announced on Wednesday that a force of 5,000 men “will guarantee” at the polling stations the triumph of the People’s Force, which will nominate Dr. Fernández with a coalition. The placement of up to 5,000 ex-soldiers and police as delegates or vigilantes of the electoral tables, could take civility to the elections of February and May to come, especially because during the period the Armed Forces and the Police will be under the control of the Central Electoral Board (JCE).
Delta circle says no
Perhaps to “heal in health” the well-known Delta Circle, which brings together senior retired officers and usually treat national problems privately, issued a statement in which it states “that it does not participate, in any way, in political-partisan activities” .
The note is signed by retired generals Antonio Jáquez López, Homero Lajara Solá and Carlos Altuna Tezanos, of the Army, Navy and Air Force. They recalled that Delta Circle separates from any member who decides to participate in any partisan project or trend.
The director general of the National Police, Major General Ney Aldrin Bautista, warned that the use of firearms is prohibited in the electoral precincts and that active police officers will be under the direction of the JCE Electoral Police. When Dr. Fernández proposed the accompaniment of thousands of military and police in the electoral precincts, he forgot the misfortune that former President Bosch suffered when he asked his followers to go with sticks and stones to defend the votes in the 1966 elections, in front of Balaguer.
Bosch’s suggestion caused shock in the country and was answered by the women of the Reform Party that ran for Balaguer, as an appeal to violence and hatred. Bosch had against the oligarchy and the hierarchy of the Church, but also many countrymen.
Years before, in 1962, Dr. Viriato Fiallo, a gentle doctor who had endured all the displacements and abuses of the Trujillo regime, and who was running for President for the National Civic Union, upon arriving on a trip abroad, said that He came with seven whips to whip Trujillism. Dr. Fiallo lost the elections by a huge margin against Bosch, who at that time was the leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD). Bosch was overthrown by a conjunction of business adversaries, the powerful US embassy and the same, the Church.
The JCE under stalking
The JCE is under stalking and siege by the groups that follow Dr. Fernández and to a lesser extent from the other main party, the Modern Revolutionary (PRM), who apparently doubt that the elections will be administered with total neatness and will not be manipulated.
The president of the JCE, Dr. Julio César Castaños, says that the work schedule is underway. This week an indelible ink shipment was received and will be used at the polling stations. Forensic audit firms are also hired.
Despite all the guarantees that the members of the JCE have given that the elections will be neat, Dr. Fernández’s strategists demand more and more assurances, a situation that could be due to the fact that the People’s Force has not grown or for fear of officialism .
One of the opposition’s latest claims is that a contract signed between the JCE and the Spanish firm Alhambra Eidos, which would certify the municipal elections by automated vote, be canceled. An opposition political sector has proposed that the United States participate, but that country does not want to.
The Board is responsible for preparing and directing the municipal elections that will take place on February 16 and the presidential and congress on May 17. Fears about an alleged fraud from the Board disregard the constant promise and observation of party political delegates.
Peralta denies Leonel
The administrative minister of the Presidency, José Ramón Peralta, denied yesterday the assertion of Dr. Fernández that the peledeistas are experts in fraud. He also refuted the reports of the opposition party according to which the polls give it first of all the intention to vote.
Dr. Fernández enjoyed a celebration between family and friends on his 66th birthday on Thursday where he was cheerful and taking pictures with everyone he wanted. The government of Medina had the same day the delivery of 70 new buses for the collective transport of WHOA, by Minister Peralta.
The main parties have been involved in a controversy as to which of them is leading in the polls. The PRM, which nominates businessman Luis Abinader, has set his greatest interest in the results of surveys he has commissioned and in others.
The PRM, a detachment of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), seeks to rival any of the other two major groups, PLD and People’s Force. A survey presented by Peralta indicates that the official organization that nominates Gonzalo Castillo is already ahead of the other two.
The campaign for municipal elections in which there are numerous alliances across the country will begin as soon as the New Year holiday passes. It is believed that the result of these could indicate a trend towards the presidential elections of May, which will define the positions held by the main parties and how Dr. Fernández will be after his break with the PLD.
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