Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader declared himself the winner of the weekend’s presidential election in a race where crime and safety were among voters’ biggest concerns.
Official results are still pending, but the election website shows the former businessman leading by a wide margin as two of his top challengers conceded. As of Monday afternoon, Abinader had 57.46% of the votes counted.
Votes have been counted in over 99% of the polling stations, according to real-time data from the electoral board, which has yet to declare a winner.
However, on Sunday, both Abinader’s main rivals congratulated Abinader on his win. “Tonight I called President Luis Abinader by phone to recognize his electoral victory and wish him success in his administration,” candidate Leonel Fernandez wrote on X.
“I’d like to wish luck to Luis Abinader, our country has plenty of challenges, I ask God that we overcome them as a nation,” Dominican politician Abel Martínez said in a statement.
If Abinader wins, he will be in office until 2028. The 56-year-old former economist and businessman first assumed the presidency in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has presided over one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.
The popular leader has promised four more years of economic growth and experts expect Abinader to expand on his first term’s priorities, which include development, reform, and the fight against corruption.
![Electoral employees count votes during the general elections in Santo Domingo on May 19, 2024.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/gettyimages-2153242322.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill)
The vote comes amid the spiraling political and social crisis in neighbouring Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.
The crisis has seen Abinader’s administration seal the island’s shared border and airspace.
He has also been accused of stoking anti-Haitian sentiment, and in 2022, the United States embassy warned Black and “darker-skinned Americans” that they risk “increased interaction” with Dominican authorities amid an immigration crackdown.
Latest Stories
-
35th CIMG Awards: Full list of winners
46 mins -
The Multimedia Group wins big at CIMG Awards 2023
2 hours -
Bernard Mornah wins PNC flagbearship race
2 hours -
Video: Confusion at PNC National Executives election
3 hours -
Rapper E.L. joins King Promise as Guinness Accravaganza headliner for September 21 showdown
3 hours -
PNC Congress: Bernard Mornah leads in Greater Accra Region
4 hours -
Reject violence, divisive rhetoric, embrace peace ahead of elections – Bawumia appeals to Ghanaians
4 hours -
SEFF’s debut single ‘Father’ sets stage for bold new talent
5 hours -
Super typhoon Yagi kills four in Vietnam
5 hours -
Hollard Insurance-UENR Mentoring Day: Students urged to let hard work, integrity shine to advance career
5 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Vision FC opens campaign with draw against Berekum Chelsea
6 hours -
If Baba Yara pitch was good, Mumin clears the ball – Laryea Kingston
6 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex begin title defence with draw against Dreams FC
7 hours -
Financing road construction and maintenance through a special fuel levy: A sustainable solution for Ghana’s road infrastructure
7 hours -
Ghana Celebrity Impact Awards 2024 launched to honor positive social influence
7 hours