Election observations.

• Author: Ochoa, Gina
• Position: OAS

In May, the OAS Electoral Observation Mission sent approximately 80 observers to follow the general congressional and municipal elections in the Dominican Republic and the general and local elections in Suriname.

In the Dominican Republic, while there were some incidents of violence related to the May 16th elections and some reports of the sale of voter IDs, Ambassador Adam Blackwell, the head of the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) in the country, congratulated the Central Elections Board (JCE) for its work, especially its punctuality and efficiency in supplying necessary materials to the electoral colleges, and for the quality of the administration of the election process.

Blackwell led a group of more than 50 observers from 20 countries who witnessed the preparatory process for the elections, the campaign, and the elections themselves. The report that the Mission will present to the Permanent Council recommends improvements in voter education, the simplification of the voting mechanism, and conditions of equality in the election campaign.

In Suriname, the May 25th election was marked by harmonious interactions between the political parties and peaceful citizen participation. "We are very pleased with the development of the elections, especially with...