Candidates for the Bar Association presidency call for a march to demand elections
A group of legal professionals and candidates for the presidency of the Bar Association of the Dominican Republic (CARD) has organized a peaceful march for this Wednesday, October 7. The main objective of this demonstration is to push for the formal opening of the union’s electoral process and the immediate formation of the National Electoral Commission.
The mobilization, which has the slogan “Trajano, elections now,” will begin at 9:30 in the morning from Independence Park and will move to the CARD headquarters, located on Bolívar Avenue, National District.
Requirement of institutionality
Lawyer Isael Rodríguez, representative of the Convergencia CARD 2026-2029 movement, made a direct call to the current president of the guild, Trajano Vidal Potentini, to convene the CARD Council. According to the protesters, it is imperative to proceed with the selection of the members of the National Electoral Commission, the body in charge of overseeing the entire voting process.
We are calling on Dr. Trajano Potentini, in his capacity as president of the Board of Directors, to convene the CARD Council and proceed with the selection of the National Electoral Commission.
Isael Rodríguez, lawyer and candidate
The organizers recalled that, given the proximity of the elections scheduled for December 5th, it is urgent to open the registration periods for candidates and begin the logistical organization of the electoral event.
Concern regarding compliance with Law 3-19
The group of jurists expressed their concern regarding the lack of progress, despite having repeatedly requested the formation of the electoral body. According to what is established in article 31 of Law 3-19, the Commission must be composed of five titular members and five alternates, preferably selected from among judges of the Judiciary to guarantee transparency.
For his part, lawyer Johnny Aristy emphasized that this struggle does not seek private interests, but rather to rescue the institutionality of the guild:
We need to restore the institutionality of the Bar Association for the well-being of legal professionals and for the country.
Johnny Aristy, lawyer
Aristy also questioned the permanence of the current authorities, expressing the fear that there may be an intention to extend the mandates beyond the established legal terms. Given this situation, they have formally requested the collaboration of the Council of the Judiciary and other judicial bodies to ensure an impartial process that adheres to the rules.
