Celso Juan Marranzini, president of the National Council of Private Enterprise of the Dominican Republic (CONEP), has raised concerns regarding the implications of early unofficial campaigning for the 2028 elections. He warned that such practices may increase the risk of organized crime money infiltrating political financing. Marranzini pointed out that the extended, costly campaigns make it challenging to monitor the sources of funding for large political events, noting the lack of scrutiny on pre-election spending.
Marranzini emphasized the importance of establishing an agreement among political parties to regulate campaign activities and enhance financial oversight. He refrained from naming any specific political parties or figures in connection with these concerns.
Campaigning before the set deadline
In the Dominican Republic, the law permits pre-election campaign activities to begin for party candidate nominations starting on July 4, 2027. The official selection of candidates is scheduled from July to October 2027, leading up to municipal elections in February 2028 and presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2028. Despite these regulations, candidates from major political parties have already commenced mass campaigning. Notable figures include Carolina Mejía, mayor of Santo Domingo’s National District, and Tourism Minister David Collado, both vying for the nomination from the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party. Former President Leonel Fernández is actively campaigning for the People’s Force party, while Gonzalo Castillo is pursuing the nomination from the Dominican Liberation Party.
The 2018 political party law provides for sanctions, including disqualification of candidates for early campaigning. Additionally, the 2023 electoral law outlines fines ranging from one to 200 minimum wages for parties and campaign managers involved in premature election events. However, the Central Electoral Board (JCE), responsible for overseeing electoral compliance, has yet to enforce penalties for any early campaign activities.
Marranzini attributed the lack of governmental oversight to the JCE’s heavy workload related to upcoming elections and the introduction of a new identification card.
Why It Matters
The risks associated with organized crime influence in politics pose significant challenges to the integrity of electoral processes in the Dominican Republic. Ensuring transparency in campaign financing is crucial to uphold democratic standards and maintain public trust in political institutions, particularly as the nation approaches critical elections. The effectiveness of existing laws to deter early campaigning and regulate funding remains a focal point for authorities and political stakeholders.
