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According to preliminary results, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has secured a second term in the country’s presidential elections.

During his victory speech, President Abinader promised unity and impartial leadership. He declared victory after rivals conceded on Sunday night. With just over half of the voting centers reporting late on Sunday, Abinader held roughly 60% of the vote. According to data from electoral authorities, his closest rival, three-time former President Leonel Fernandez, is close to 30% of the vote.  

Abinader’s victory reinforces most of the country’s backing of significant policies, including an “anticorruption agenda” and a “crackdown” along the shared border with Haiti. During his time in office, President Abinader began building a 102-mile concrete wall along the border with Haiti and deported more than 250,000 Haitians in 2023. Despite international pressure to welcome more refugees, he continued to move forward with deportations. 

While the migrant policy is popular among some Dominicans, it has drawn sharp criticisms from human rights groups that call it racist and a violation of international law.

Election process deemed fair:
During the Presidential election, opposition parties reported a number of minor irregularities but agreed that voting in the election largely ran smoothly. According to Luis Fortuno, an international observer for the election and a former governor of Puerto Rico, voters felt satisfied with the electoral process. “In general, the electoral process was carried out correctly, openly, and democratically,” Fortuno said.