Spain: Dominican solidarity protests scheduled in Madrid and Alicante February 27 /update 1

Event

Members of the Dominican diaspora in Spain have called for protests in Madrid and Alicante on Thursday, February 27, amid ongoing protests in the Dominican Republic due to election irregularities. February 27 is also Dominican Independence Day. Participants in Madrid are scheduled to gather at Plaza Callao as of 18:00 (local time) until at least 20:00. Those in Alicante are set to gather at Plaça de la Montanyeta as of 19:00.

Associated transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence are to be anticipated in the vicinity of all protests.

Context

Municipal elections were held on February 16 in the Dominican Republic, in which several polling centers operating electronic ballots reported glitches. Following these reports, several protests were reported in cities across the country as a response to the glitches, seen as election rigging to benefit the leading party, the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). The electronic system was used in just 18 of the 158 municipalities - areas with high population density. The Central Electoral Union (JCE) subsequently suspended the elections and called for a new vote on March 15.

Advice

Individuals in Madrid and Alicante are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all large public gatherings as a precaution, and anticipate transportation disruptions.