In Contested Vote, Medina Narrowly Wins Dominican Presidential Election

Updated on May 21, 2012--In the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina of the incumbent Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) won 51 percent of the vote in Sunday's presidential election, though his opponent has yet to concede. With over 90 percent of the votes counted, former President Hipólito Mejía of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) held out, accusing the PLD of vote-buying. Though Medina avoided a runoff by garnering more than 50 percent of the vote, PRD officials said they would submit a report on the fraud allegations. Observers from the Organization of American States acknowledged vote-buying on both sides, but said the election was otherwise "successful."

Polls showed voters were most concerned with unemployment and rising crime, though the candidates differed little in their platforms. Medina represents the incumbent PLD, which has governed for 12 of the last 16 years. Known for being studious and pragmatic, Medina is a long-time ally of current President Leonel Fernández. The candidate served 10 years as a deputy in Congress before being presidential secretary twice under Fernández from 1996 to 2000 and 2004 to 2006. He also successfully managed PLD campaigns in 1996 and 2004. Current First Lady Margarita Cedeño ran as vice president on the PLD ticket, helping to connect Medina with the popular Fernández and going after the female vote. Medina lost the presidency to Mejía in 2000, winning only 25 percent of the vote.

Mejía sought a second term, having previously governed as president from 2000 to 2004. He titled himself “Papá” during this campaign and is known for his “jocular, folksy style and verbal excesses,” reports Infolatam. This style occasionally caused trouble for the candidate, such as when he referred to U.S. President Barack Obama as “an African from over there.” Mejía left office in 2004 amid the country’s worst banking crisis in history and with a 10 percent approval rating. Some also accuse his administration of high levels of corruption.

The winning candidate must confront the country’s perennial challenges. Though economic growth has been strong while poverty declined under Fernández, Financial Times’ beyondbrics blog points out that “many Dominicans still struggle to satisfy basic needs.” The country faces problems in the heavily state-subsidized energy sector, with frequent blackouts nationwide. Polls showed half of voters are most concerned with crime and jobs; unemployment in the formal economy stands at 14 percent. The next president must also “deal with evils such as drug trafficking and determine a lasting policy towards neighboring Haiti,” says EFE. 

Despite their differing styles, the candidates offered similar proposals. Each vowed to dedicate 4 percent of GDP to education and expand social programs for poverty reduction. Both promised to improve access to employment and opportunity, as well as to reform the electricity sector.  Mejía targeted rural voters, promising improvements in infrastructure, housing, and access to credit for farmers. “With little to distinguish the two candidates ideologically, the election has turned into a referendum on Fernández’s presidency,” Council of the Americas Vice President Eric Farnsworth told Reuters. “The question is do voters want change, mixed in with a bit more of the same.” 

Election day was marred by reports of shootings between party activists around the country, with at least one death reported. The campaign, too, was anything but smooth sailing, with several violent incidences and two deaths. Fernández and Cedeño even ducked flying projectiles from angry voters on the campaign trail. On the campaign trail, both sides accused the other of corruption and voter manipulation. Mejía accused the government of over-spending on public works projects this year to boost Medina’s support. The PLD, meanwhile, accused Mejía of populism, since he reportedly gave handouts to potential voters and made unviable campaign promises. Harsh language exchanged between the candidates caused the Superior Electoral Tribunal to ask for “a civilized tone” in the election. The high cost of the campaigns—estimated at $115.3 million—also came under fire. Of the total expenditure, Medina’s PLD outspent Mejía’s PRD by three to one. 

Learn More:

• Read an AS/COA Online News Analysis about the potential of Dominican voters abroad to influence the election and an AS/COA Online Explainer on expatriate voting rights.
• Read about the upcoming election from Reuters, including perspectives from COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth. 
• Read an AS/COA Online Hemispheric Update on Latin America’s 2012 presidential elections, including the Dominican Republic.
• Visit the election pages of Danilo Medina and Hipólito Mejía. 
• Access election coverage from Listín Diario and Diario Libre.
• Read a piece from the Financial Times’ beyondbrics blog about the challenges the next Dominican president will face.