Turkey- Medina reelected as president of Dominican Republic

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) >Danilo Medina was re-elected president of the Dominican Republic for a second four-year term with 62 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results.

Medina's victory consolidates the Dominican Liberation Party’s hold on power. The party has ruled since 2004.

He defeated Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) candidate Luis Abinader, who received 36 percent.

As of 23.22 p.m. (GMT1922) Sunday, the Central Electoral Board had tabulated just 25 percent of polling stations

Roberto Rosario, president of the electoral commission, said during a press conference that the voting process was excellent and it was conducted with few incidents.

But there were some complaints of delays, vote buying and campaigning outside polling stations.

At least one person was killed and four others wounded following a fight between supporters of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and PRM.

According to witnesses, the shooting occurred when members of the PRM alleged caught leaders of the PLD buying identification documents to prevent opponents from voting.

"They started to argue and then threw many shots," said one witness told local media.

Twenty-six political parties are vying for position on the general ballot in which 6.7 million voters will elect 4,066 officials in a country of 10 million residents.

A total of 190 deputies, 32 senators, 158 mayors and 1,164 councilors, with alternates, will be chosen.

In addition, 234 heads of municipal districts and an equal number of assistants will be elected.

The elections in the Dominican Republic represent the 14th presidential election in the past 150 years of democratic transition in which the country has chosen just six presidents.

By Senabri Silvestre