High Abstentionism Raises Concerns Ahead of Elections in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo (Prensa Latina) .- With only 46.7 percent voter turnout in the municipal elections in February, concerns are rising in political circles in the Dominican Republic about the possibility of high abstentionism in the upcoming elections. The electoral ban begins on May 16, leading up to the elections scheduled for the 19th, and the numbers from the previous election have authorities worried.
In 2020, President Luis Abinader and his running mate, Raquel Peña, won with 52.52 percent of valid votes, but the abstention rate stood at 45 percentage points, the highest in 25 years. The current question is whether a similar scenario could unfold in normal circumstances.
Specialists argue that citizens’ distrust in the political class plays a significant role in the high abstention rates. A recent survey showed that 62 percent of the Dominican population expresses distrust in the political system.
President Abinader, who hopes to secure re-election for the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), remains optimistic despite the concerns. He pointed out that the voter registry does not account for registered voters residing abroad, potentially impacting the high abstention numbers.
The possible core of abstentionism lies in the structure of the electoral processes, with municipal, congressional, and presidential elections held separately since 1996. The lack of significant differences between political leaderships, disenchantment with politics, and communication challenges have all been identified as factors contributing to low citizen participation.
As the electoral campaign heats up in the final days before the elections, the outcome remains uncertain. Efforts to charm previous voters and integrate new participants into the process are underway, but the clock is ticking. The presence of voters on election day remains unknown, adding to the anticipation and anxiety surrounding the upcoming elections.
*The author is the chief correspondent in the Dominican Republic for the Prensa Latina agency.