Millions headed to the polls in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, defying a coronavirus outbreak that had delayed the vote and forced the leading presidential candidate to briefly suspend appearances after falling ill with the disease.
A policeman guards the empty streets of the colonial district, after state of emergency decreed by the government last Thursday, as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease , in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic March 24, 2020. REUTERS/Ricardo Rojas
Polls suggest the ruling Dominican Liberation Party is set to lose power after 16 years as mismanagement of the outbreak, infighting, corruption allegations and inequality overshadow a strong economic performance. With a close race expected, Abinader may not get the absolute majority needed to win. Results are expected late on Sunday or on Monday and a runoff, if necessary, would be held on July 26.
Critics say the government did not act quickly enough, reopened the economy too soon last month, and is too slow with testing. Some voters were nervous about whether the balloting would go smoothly after municipal elections in February were suspended mid-vote. Officials at the time said there had been a glitch in the electronic voting system, but some Dominicans suspected foul play.
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