Chopper flyover, teargas fired as clash over votes backs up busy highway

Santo Domingo.- Supporters of the opposition PRM mayoral candidateKimberly Duarte, and Mirtha Perez (La Popy) of the PLR on Wednesday afternoon continuethe clashes unleashed Tuesday when the vote count pointed to a close race in PedroBrand township.

The turmoil prompted increased police presence using teargasand even an Army helicopter sent to keep order, local media report.

The clashes have backed up traffic 28 kilometers north ofthe capital on the Duarte highway, as protesters demand a vote recount.

In its latest bulletin the Central Electoral Board -JCE-says incumbent mayor Ramón Pascual (Mello), of the ruling PLDparty leads with barely100 votes over the other candidates.