Election rules change.(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)(Brief article)

0 Comments | Caribbean Update, July, 2009

The next crop of mayors, legislators and other elected officials will get to serve an extra two years in office under a new measure that aims to cut costs by holding all elections on a single day, reports AP (May 20, 2009). Candidates who win in 2010 will stay in office until 2016, according to a constitutional amendment approved by a government committee.

Officials usually serve four-year terms. The DR used to have a single, unified vote for all offices, until fraud allegations tarnished the 1994 presidential election. A new vote for the presidency and vicepresidency was held two years later, and the election cycle has been off-kilter since. The amendment also moves elections to a Sunday to avoid interrupting business activities, since a work holiday is...