Shortly after the popular candidate for mayor of Guánica, Ismael “Titi” Rodríguez Ramosthe winner is declared, the candidate by direct nomination Edgardo Cruz Velez insisted the State Election Commission (CEE) to make an official statement about the match, which has remained behind a veil of mystery since the beginning of the week.
“This has not been addressed with the urgency, speed and relevance this unique event in Puerto Rico’s political history deserves. On the 44th day after the 3 November elections, our respectful request is that the remaining votes to be allocated finally be granted and today it is finally announced who has received the most votes. in this election contest, ”said Cruz Vélez, emphasizing that the volunteers who serve as observers to the count and who, like him, have been traveling from Guánica to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in the capital since last Friday.
Cruz Vélez pointed out that Aguadilla’s municipal recount was completed in one day, despite the fact that it had practically three times as many ballots as Guánica.
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This morning, Rodríguez Ramos confirmed that he was victorious with 2,378 votes, against Cruz Vélez’s 2,274. In the EEC’s official portal, where the people who received votes by direct nomination are not detailed, the results have not been updated since last Monday.
Even if we grant the 62 versions of the name approved by the President of the EEC, Francisco Rosado Colomer, even granting him votes where names were written, but without marking the X in the corresponding place, he did not achieve a majority. These are the definitive and solid figures, ”confirmed Rodríguez Ramos.
As Deputy President of the EEC (Jessika Padillatoday, there are still votes that can be awarded here, votes under the candidacy for direct nomination, so there are about 200, maybe a little more, votes that are being awarded today and we also hope that today the EEC makes formal and official announcements who was the winner of this competition. We are confident that we have been, ”said Cruz Vélez in an interview with Subway from the grounds of the Colosseum.
Last Monday, Rosado Colomer released a resolution certifying 64 modalities of the Cruz Vélez name that should award the tables in his favor. The next day Rodríguez Ramos, through his attorney and former election commissioner of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), Lind Merle Feliciano, filed an appeal for judicial review, arguing that the decision of the EEC President fell under his powers Elections Act in force, which provides that votes are only awarded by direct nomination when the voter writes the “full name”.
According to Cruz Vélez, both the PPD and the New Progressive Party (PNP), Cuyo seated Santos “Papichy” Seda, who have sought re-election, have put forward frivolous arguments against the validation of ballots with direct nomination votes.
“The presiding judge of the EEC certainly has jurisdiction and it is his prerogative to decide in a legal and judicial manner what he thinks is adjudicable and what is not. Former judge and former PPD election commissioner Lind Orlando Merle Feliciano can ask any question because he has the right to do so. But it really is a question that we understand is frivolous and has been asked with the sole intention and purpose of rejecting the voice of more than 2,500 Guaniqueño brothers, ”said Cruz Vélez.
The petitioner admits that he is concerned about the effect that the controversy, which might continue in court, would have on the transition process if it were to be triumphant. Rodríguez Ramos was declared the provisional winner, despite the fact that the direct nomination column received more votes than all certified candidates.
The ex-military have previously tried to become mayor of Guánica through the PNP and the Worthiness project, a community that has refused to block his candidacy due to the sexual orientation of Cruz Vélez, who has openly declared his homosexuality.