DOMINICAN ELECTION SITUATION REPORT NO. 1

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2002
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 28, 1966
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Release 2 6A000800450001-
OC.I No. 1297/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
28 May 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 1
1. Joaquin Balaguer and his Reformist Party de-
cided last night to withdraw from the Dominican -
den.tial campaign,
2. Balaguer's withdrawal from the campaign is
reportedly final. His decision was reached late last
night, after the central electoral board rejected his
repeated proposals that Dominican women be allowed to
vote without identity cards.
3. Balaguer, who seems disheartened over recent
developments--and particularly over the continuing
heavy rains which will cut deeply into his support in
the rural areas--appears determined not to participate
further in the campaign. However, a last-minute de-
cision to continue the race cannot be ruled out.
4. Garcia Godoy will undoubtedly attempt to per-
suade Balaguer to reverse his decision. A Reformist
Party rally scheduled for tonight could provide the
forum.
SECRET
9125X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 b6
Approved For Release 26A000800450001-8 25X1
8 Yyt
OCI No. 1298/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
28 May 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 2
(As of 4:00 PM EDT)
1. Reformist Party (PR) candidate Joaquin
Balaguer's "withdrawal" from the presidential race and
his cancellation of the Santo Domingo rally which was
to have wound up his campaign tonight evidently are
calculated to force the Central Electoral Board into
meeting his demand that women be permitted to vote next
Wednesday without registration cards or that voters who
have applied for such cards be permitted to cast a
ballot. The Board's rejection of both demands Friday
evening triggered Balaguer's announcement that he was
pulling out.
the R leader reached his decision in consultation
wi other Reformist chieftains and acted in the belief
that the country could not go to the elections without
PR participation and that the various forces opposed to
Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) leader Juan Bosch
not tolerate a PRD takeover.
Balaguer and the other PR leaders felt they had to
withdraw in order to force the Provisional Government
to move against terrorists who are mugging Reformist
party members and stealing their registration cards
3. It is difficult to gauge the effect Balaguer's
ploy may have on the momentum of his campaign. Thg PR
leader and his cohorts are said to feel they can recover
whatever ground they have lost in the past day if the
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2 07 6A000800450001-8
Electoral Board accedes to any of their demands and they
are thus able to open the polling places to voters--par-
ticularly women--who otherwise would be disenfranchised.
For the moment, at least, they have focused public atten-
tion on the PR and its intentions. PRD candidate Bosch,
who yesterday spoke out against meeting either of
Balaguer's demands, can be expected to protest any con-
cession by the Board or any move by the Provisional Gov-
ernment to safeguard PR voters. As for his own supporters,
Bosch yesterday urged Dominicans who plan to vote for the
PRD to arrive at the polls early and in large numbers,
armed with sticks and stones to protect themselves.
4. Under the appropriate provision of the Dominican
electoral law, Balaguer can withdraw at any time up to
and including Election Day by notifying the Central Elec-
toral Board formally of his intention to do so. Lacking
such notice, votes cast for Balaguer will be counted.
Balaguer's status has no effect on other Reformist Party
candidates.
5. Rain has continued to fall throughout much of
the Dominican Republic all day, and there is a possibility
of heavy storms by nightfall. Roads are slick and in
several places highways have been blocked by landslides
or washouts.
3'ECIZZ+; `
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2002/07/SRGQg5 O826A000800450001-8
OCI No. 1299/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
28 May 1966
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 3
(As of 10:00 PM EDT)
1. Garcia Godoy told women members of the Reformist
Party today that the government has decided to meet sev,
eral of Balaguer's demands for last-minute changes in
the voting procedures. Late press reports indicate that
Garcia Godoy has signed a decree outlining such changes.
2. According to press reports, the decree pro-
vides that (a) women of 25 and older will be permitted
to vote without the cedula for civil registration cards;
(b) that the cedula issuing period, scheduled to close
tomorrow, will be extended for one day through Monday;
(c) that increased police protection will be provided
would-be voters waiting to cast ballots at the more than
three-thousand polling places.
3. These concessions--presumably agreed to today
by Balaguer at a meeting with Garcia Godoy-- should bring
the Reformist Party presidential candidate back into the
race.
4. Dominican Revolution Party leader Juan Bosch
probably will protest the Provisional Government giving-
in to Balaguer, but the consensus in Santo Domingo is
that he will not pull out of the race in retaliation.
Bosch may well sense that his chances of victory have
been enhanced by Balaguer's tactics and by the prospect
that torrential rain will cut down on the Reformist vote
outside the city.
5. Less than two days of campaigning remain. The
Provisional Government has ruled that radio stations
cannot carry campaign speeches or spot announcements after
Monday night.
25X1
SECRET
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2002,10 alrOOQ'6A000800450001-8
OCI No. 1300/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
2G May 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 4
(As of 8:00 AM EDT)
25X1
84
1. Major concessions to Balaguer have been
announced by the provisional government. Late last
night the government radio station broadcast decrees
that extended the deadline for cedula issuance until
midnight 30 May and the elimination of the cedula re-
quirement for women 25 years of age and over.
2. Although Balaguer's Reformist Party (PR) has
not officially reacted to these measures, both Balaguer
and his running mate expressed their 25X6
satisfaction with the ecrees.
3. Bosch has indicated his displeasure with the
decrees, but said he does not intend to take an intransi-
gent position on them. In a speech yesterday, Bosch
parried charges by the PR of fraud by seemingly well
documented cases of illegal maneuvering by his opponents
and advised Balaguer to accept defeat gracefully.
4. Much has been made of Bosch's 27 May speech
in which he warned his followers to go to the polls
armed with sticks and stones. Both Santo Domingo
dailies have deplored the statement and Balaguer forces
have made extensive use of it. In defense, Bosch charged
yesterday that his statements had been maliciously dis-
torted.
E CRE
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 85
Approved For Releasle 1T00826A000800450001-8
OCI No. 1305/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
29 May 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican. Election Situation. Report No. 5
(As o P.M. EDT)
1. Balaguer's re-entry into the political campaign.
today following the acquiescence of the provisional
government to his demands apparently completes an audacious
political maneuver which afforded him both the public
spotlight and the enlargement of a potential voting bloc
(women.) generally considered largely in. his camp.
2. Balaguer's dramatic announcement on, 28 May
that his Reformist Party was withdrawing from the 1 June
elections was made against the counsel of some of his
top advisors and appears to have surprised and confused
many of his followers. Had authorities not ruled in his
favor, Balaguer's position would have been. badly weakened
and permanent retirement from the race the only likely
alternative.
3. It is unlikely that Bosch will let the remaining
days of the campaign slip by without himself going after
the center ring.
4. Third-ranking presidential candidate Rafael
Bon.n.elly has not only lost the support of the small
Liberal Evolution.alist Party but also his running mate
on. the National Integration Movement ticket who resigned
late Friday night. In the face of dwindling strength,
Bonnelly's withdrawal from the elections may
5. The US Weather Bureau advised that as of 2:00 P.M.
EDT weather conditions in the Dominican Republic were
light scattered clouds and no precipitation. Tonight's
forecast calls for possible light showers.
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2---"--""S 'A TOO828 c
0800450001- 8 925X1
OCI No. 1535/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
1 June 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 6
(As of 8:45 A.M. EDT)
1. At 7:00 A.M. EDT the Dominicans began to cast
their ballots for president, vice president, 27 sena-
tors, 74 deputies, 77 mayors, and 417 municipal council-
men. The polls will remain open until 7:00 P.M. EDT
tonight.
2. In a last minute effort to reduce the chances
Of repetitive voting, the provisional government announced
last night that male voters will have their upper wrists
shaved. This safeguard has been employed in the past,
but its use in this election represents another conces-
sion to Balaguer, who had demanded its employment.
3. Bosch's confident demeanor and surprisingly
low-keyed campaign windup has given the Im- 25X1
pression that Bosch knows something ey ono-.
4. The latest weather report for today predicts
fair weather this morning and possible showers this af-
ternoon.
25X1
SECRET
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001,
SECRET
OCI No. 1536/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
1 June 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican Election Situation Report No, _7
(As of 11:30 A.M. EDT)
85
1. No incidents have been reported during the course
of the morning. The weather is clear and the turnout is
described as good--in Santo Domingo and in the provinces,
as well,
2. Radio Santo Domingo, the only station on the air,
is urging all eligible voters to cast ballots and has be-
gun to deny rumors and misinformation calculated to dis-
courage a heavy turnout, About an hour ago it described
as false rumors that women would not be allowed to vote be-
fore afternoon.
4. No returns have been reported as of this hour.
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Releas 0826A000800450
CCI Noe 1537/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
office of Current Intelligence
1. June 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Situation Re ort-No. 8
Dominican Election
(As of 1:30 PaM. EDT)
91
M
that of :00 A*
Weather Bureau advises siblealocallshowers w
1 . The
over uall into weather picture is fair, but
EDT clouds were buiin
this -afternoon. The fronts or major weather trends are
somewhat unstable< t twelve hours.
25X1
likely during the nex
turnout is moderate to heav according to
2 Voter US off icials 25X1
a a goo many o e voters who
press
on the scene surm se to cast their ballots ineristas<
lined up early this morning the capital were Balagu
more prosperous districts of
ortedr
3, No incidents have been rep officials charged
4. Late yesterday Reformist party at least five
of PR ballots delivered to the ive
that the number was less than
polling places in Peravia province party ballots delivered*
according to a Phi.- statement, 725
ber of polling an ceolutionary poll
P in one but only 426 Phi. ballots were delivered" equal num- e that tchers had been instrutaetonh nd before
ber of an voting
and PRD ballots
starts.
25X1
NP -J
'UIUM
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2002/07/1'IPW9T00826A000800450001-8
25X1
85
OCI No. 1538/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
1 June 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican Election Situation Report No, 9
(As of 3:45 P.M. EDT)
2. There are continuing reports of heavy voter turn-
out outside the capital. A check of voting places outside
Santiago in mid-morning indicated a -ood turnout with a
large number of women waiting to cast ballots. In two near-
by towns, poll watchers from Juan Bosch's Dominican Revo-
lutionary Party were much in evidence and PRD activists
with badges and bandannas were patrolling the streets; no
PR observers were seen.
3. Radio Santo Domingo continues to broadcast spot
announcements denying prevalent rumors about disturbances
or limitations on the hours women will be permitted to vote.
4. Defense Minister Perez y Perez denied a rumor
that a large quantity of "munitions" was shipped hurriedly
to the Forteleza Ozama in downtown Santo Domingo. Perez
y-Perez claims that the packages carried into the fort
contained dry rations for troops assigned to guard the
polling places.
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2
OCI No. 0833/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
1 June 1966
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 10
(As of P.M. EDT)
1. Police and military elements are reportedly
doing an excellent job with order being maintained
throughout the country.
2. Estimates of heavy voter turnout continue.
Local electoral boards appear to be reacting quickly
to resolve small technical problems.
3. Balaguer supporters in Santiago, the coun-
try's second largest city, are radiating great con-
fidence based on the discarded ballots at the polls.
In suburban areas where Bosch was thought strong,
they believe Bosch will win by only a small margin.
4. Following a tour of some voting stations in
the capital, Ambassador Bunker is quoted in a press
report as saying "Things are going as well as we ex-
pected."
5. The latest weather reports indicate that
the possibility of showers in the late afternoon is
now slight.
6. Polls close at 7:00 P.M. EDT and even partial
preliminary returns probably will not be coming for
at least a couple of hours.
SECRET
2S
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release OOMBf9?,826A000800450001-
OCI No. 1308/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
2 June 1966
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 11
(As of 2:45 AM EDT)
1. On the basis of votes reported by Radio Santo
Domingo, Reformist Party presidential candidate Joaquin
Balaguer is leading with 28,117 votes to Dominican Revolu-
tionary Party candidate Juan Bosch's 25,056. These
returns are fragmentary and reflect chiefly those ballots
tabulated in the National District--which includes Santo
Domingo--and the city of Santiago. As expected, Bosch
is leading in Santo Domingo, where he has 18,229 votes
to Balaguer's 10,297; but Balaguer seems to be polling
approximately 52 percent'of the national vote.
2. Approximately 1.2 million Dominicans, or 65
to 70 percent of the eligible voters, cast ballots today.
3. No major incidents have been reported.
CONFIDENTIAL
86
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release f 009AE GRKE1001 26A000800450001-8
OCI No. ;1379/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
2 June 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 12
(As of 5:45 AM EDT)
1. Radio Santo Domingo's tabulation of the vote
count has fallen considerably behind tallies reported
by the press services. At 0230 local time, Reuters
credited Balaguer with 154,110 to 133,498 for Bosch
in the total national vote.
2. Radio Santo Domingo's tabulation, which provides
a breakdown by polling place, shows Bosch carrying the
National District by 57.5 percent--a drop of 20 per-
centage points below his 1962 margin. Bosch's share of
the National District vote has declined slowly but
steadily during the night.
3. Scattered returns from outside the capital
indicate that Balaguer is doing extremely well; even in
areas where Bosch is leading, the PRD candidate's total
is down markedly from four years ago.
4. According to the press, an unidentified high
official of Bosch's party has said that if the PRD wins,
it will do so by a narrow margin.
SECRET
86
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2 J?IDE@gil7. 6A000800450001
OCI No. 0833/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
2 June 1966
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 13
(As of 5:30 P.M. EDT)
1. Balaguer is in command of a strong lead with
almost half of the estimated vote counted.
2. Balaguer has already issued a victory statement
in which he said that he intends to push for the with-
drawal of the 8003-man Inter-American Peace Force.
88
25X1
4. Violence may erupt in Santo Domingo when a
Balaguer victory becomes officially announced. During
the campaign extreme leftist elements supporting Bosch
said that he could only be defeated by fraud, which
they would not accept peacefully. The National Police
are investigating a report that youths are gatherin
in downtown Santo Domingo.
CONFIDENTIAL
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 Approved For Release 2002&RR79T00826A000800450
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Current Intelligence
3 June 1966
Dominican Election Situation Report No. 14
(As of 8:15 A.M. EDT)
1. Balaguer is maintaining an overwhelming lead.
Based on about 90% of the total vote, the Central Elec-
toral Board count as of 9:30 P.M. EDT last night was:
Balaguer: 645,375 (58.4%)
Bosch 422,576 (38.2%)
Bonnelly: 37,629 (3.4%)
3. Bosch will get little comfort from the reports
of election observers. A majority of the OAS observers
have issued a statement describing the elections as free
and clean.
Both major Dominican papers
yesterday gave extensive coverage to the orderliness of
the voting and lack of incidents.
SECRET
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
 25X1 Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8
Approved For Release 2002/07/12 : CIA-RDP79T00826A000800450001-8