Senate approves in first reading a bill that eliminates independent candidacies

Santo Domingo. — The Senate of the Republic approved in first reading the bill that repeals articles 156, 157 and 158 of Law 20-23, Organic of the Electoral Regime, an initiative proposed by Senator Rogelio Genao along with other legislators.

The piece seeks to eliminate the regime of independent candidacies within the Dominican electoral system.

In that sense, Genao defended the proposal and explained that the objective is to preserve the operability of the electoral process and the stability of the party system.

“Is a ballot with 100 faces of a president manageable? With dozens of candidates for senators and mayors? We have to think about the organization of the electoral process,” he said.

Genao affirmed that the party system has been key in the democratic consolidation of the country.

“We are maintaining a democracy that has operated for 70 years, which has allowed the peaceful transition of government and the consolidation of a party system that, with its vices and shortcomings, remains one of the most robust on the continent,” he indicated.

According to the approved piece, the nature of these nominations generates “obstacles and difficulties” for the effectiveness of constitutional mandates, especially regarding the institutionalization of blocs and the replacement processes.

The project must now be known in a second reading in the Senate and, if approved, will go to the Chamber of Deputies for study and eventual approval, in accordance with the established legislative procedure.