The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, won the elections held this Sunday with 57.51 percent of the valid votes cast, according to the preliminary official results released in the early morning of Monday by the Central Electoral Board (JCE), so he will govern a new four-year term.
Scrutinized 90.56 percent of the polling stations installed, Abinader, who was nominated by the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), obtained 2,254,961 votes (equivalent to 57.51 percent of the valid votes cast).
Then there are former President Leonel Fernández (Force of the People), with 28.86 percent (1,131,649 votes), and the mayor of Santiago de los Caballeros, Abel Martínez, of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), with 10.35 percent (406,014). Six other candidates are still winning more modest endorsements.
The candidate of the People’s Force, LeonelFernandez, called me to congratulate me and recognize our electoral triumph. I am grateful for this gesture of respect and commitment to democracy. Together, we will continue to work for the progress and well-being of all Dominicans…
Luis Abinader (Eluisabinader)May 20, 2024
This Sunday’s day took place in an atmosphere of tranquillity and almost without incident. In a message to the country at the end of the elections, the JCE highlighted the participation and civic and democratic performance of the Dominican people.
Across the country, 16,747 polling stations were installed and 1,545 were installed abroad. Nearly 90,000 citizens ensured its operation in the Caribbean nation. Delegates from the parties accredited to the schools were able to participate in the count.
The elections were followed by more than 2,300 electoral observers, 400 of them international.
A total of 8,145,548 Dominicans were eligible to vote, of whom 51 per cent are women and 49 per cent are men.
Luis Abinader addresses the Dominican people
After learning of Luis Abinader’s victory, he addressed the Dominican people and thanked the show of citizenship that voters demonstrated on the day, giving the image of an exemplary country, with deep democratic convictions.
“Today our country shines with its own light. It is the leadership of a strong country. The Dominican Republic today wrote a page of democratic progress and the results speak for themselves,” he said.
He also specified that in Dominican democracy, the most important position is that of the citizen, because he is the one who remains. “Every Dominican with his vote, builds our country, and is the most powerful tool in democracy, and this day has shown this day,” he said, while stating that the outcome of these elections exceeded those of 2020.
The LDP candidate, AbelMartinezD, called me to congratulate me and acknowledge our triumph in the elections. This gesture of civility strengthens our democracy and reflects everyone’s commitment to the well-being of the nation. Let’s move on, working together for a better…
Luis Abinader (Eluisabinader)May 20, 2024
“I assume the trust I have received and the obligation not to disappoint her. I won’t fail them. And above any partisan feeling is my loyalty and pride and my commitment is to the Dominican people,” he said.
Abinader stressed that his commitment has been to work with all and for all Dominicans, and he indicated that changes and reforms must continue to be deepened, for the sake of progress and development.
“Four years ago I stood before you in the hope of change and now I do so when I make that hopeful change,” he said, adding that during his administration he will guarantee the country to promote a constitutional reform, which he hopes will be the last.
“This electoral victory, in my case, will be the last, because I will respect the limits in the Constitution. I’m not going to be a candidate again. It is my word, it is my commitment and will be part of my legacy to the Dominican Republic,” he announced.
Tonight I telephoned President Luis Abinader to acknowledge his electoral triumph and wish him success in his administration.
Leonel Fernández (LeonelFernandez)May 20, 2024
Abinader also thanked the Dominicans who competed for the presidency of the Dominican Republic, and announced that former candidates Abel Martínez and former President Leonel Fernández congratulated them by telephone.
In this sense, in his X account, former President Leonel Fernández confirmed that he spoke on the phone with the re-elected president “to recognize his electoral triumph and wish him success in his management.”
Abel Martínez also issued a statement, in which he wished Abinader good luck and thanked every Dominican who went to the polls to give his vote.
“We will be vigilant and vigilant to the Government. We will make a critical and courageous opposition,” he said, stating that it would be available to the people.
Abinader receives congratulations from governments
In the early hours of Monday, the re-elected president received congratulations from authorities in Spain and several Latin American countries.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela greets the Dominican people and their institutions for the outstanding participation in the election day held this Sunday, May 19, 2024 and congratulates Luis Abinader on his re-election as President of the Dominican Republic for the… pic.twitter.com/XR79F1geBX
Yvan Gil (yvangil)May 20, 2024
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil issued a statement on his official account of the social network X in which he said that “the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela greets the Dominican people and their institutions for the outstanding participation in the electoral day held this Sunday, May 19, 2024 and congratulates Luis Abinader on his re-election as President of the Dominican Republic for the new period 2024-2028.”
The @SRE_mxpeople of the Dominican Republic congratulate the people of the Dominican Republic on their exemplary election day, in which the “Lluisabinader was re-elected for a second presidential term.”
Mexico will continue to work to strengthen the bilateral relationship for mutual and regional benefit.
Foreign Affairs (SRE-mx)May 20, 2024
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SRE) of Mexico used the same social network to send a message of congratulations to the people of the Dominican Republic “for their exemplary election day,” in which Luis Abinader was re-elected for a second presidential term.
“Mexico will continue to work to strengthen the bilateral relationship for mutual and regional benefit,” the Mexican Foreign Ministry said in its communication.
Congratulations, “luisabinader,” for your re-election for a second presidential term on an exemplary election day.
We will continue to work to strengthen the excellent bilateral relationship with the Dominican Republic.
Pedro Sánchez (Asanchetstejon)May 20, 2024
The head of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, said on his X account: “Congratulations, Luis Abinader, for your re-election for a second presidential term on an exemplary election day. We will continue to work to strengthen the excellent bilateral relationship with the Dominican Republic.”
This article has been translated after first appearing in TeleSurTV