USAID wants to observe Dominican elections, but request is fumbled

Santo Domingo.- The US Agency for International Development(USAID) has shown an interest in observing Dominican Republic’s general electionsset for May 15, and aims to assign 26 officers for that task.

The USAID had stated its interest in an email last week to USEmbassy political attaché Brian S. Quigley, copied to one of the members of theCentral Electoral Board.

Eldia.com.do reports that “surprisingly” Quigley had requesteda meeting between JCE members and a group of US Embassy officials on March 30,to coordinate USAID’s participation in the electoral process.

The Outlet confirmed that the meeting didn’t materialize.

USAID’s request to the JCE came as a surprise since embassiesin the country and foreign governments must submit any request to the Foreign Ministryto participate in elections as guests.

Locally USAID provides financial support for civil societyorganizations such as Citizen Participation, which has vast experience in observingelections in the country.