Dominican Republic presidential election, 2008

The Dominican presidential elections took place on 16 May 2008. A total of almost six million Dominicans were asked to cast their votes. According to the Constitution of 1966, the Dominican Republic is a presidential republic. Head of state and chief owner of the executive ( prime minister ) is the directly elected for 4 years as President; since 2003 is a direct re-election possible. To select competed seven candidates. Favorite in the election campaign was, according to surveys incumbent Leonel Fernández Reyna of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD ), which has ruled the Caribbean island has two long tenures. His biggest challenger was the entrepreneur Miguel Vargas Maldonado, of the Party of the Dominican Revolution ( PRD). The five remaining candidates were given no opportunities. During the election campaign there were slight incidents. For example, on Wednesday at the end in the town of Monte Cristi in the northwest Dominican Republic, where there had been a clash between supporters of the two leading candidates. In this case, according to the local authorities, three people were killed.

The necessary absolute majority of votes won incumbent Fernández equal in the first ballot. He received Projections for more than 53 % of the vote, his opponent Vargas reached only 40%. Vargas had admitted his defeat after the announcement of the first projections.

Election result

Final result of the State Election Commission:

The turnout was 71.36 percent.