SANTO DOMINGO.- Dominican Republic’s major opposition party, the PRD, was the first to register last night its congressional candidates in the offices of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), which include deputies and senators, in a nationwide process marred by incidents.

But disorder reigned as the 12 midnight deadline for inscriptions loomed when nine parties converged in the JCE, for which the Secretariat  had to hastily set up four areas to register candidates.

JCE Administrative Chamber president Roberto Rosario told the press near dawn, that in general the process was calm, but noted the occurrence of incidents in several towns and cities nationwide.

He said the SUV of a candidate of the town Sabana Yegua (west) Niurka Mota was shot at, and that there was gunfire and scuffles in Bohechío and Tamayo, where the list of candidacies was stolen.

He added that as of 12:30 a.m., more than 10,300 candidates had been registered at the municipal level and the technical process was on schedule.