The Polls

On May 16 the DR will have its next senatorial and congressional elections. Senators make over $40,000 per month, making them the highest paid in the world, and all elected officials have access to huge amounts of money which they can use as they see fit, with no accountability. Elections here are basically "beauty contests" because the only campaigning done is by putting up posters with the candidates pictures. These posters occupy every inch of public space. There are no discussions of issues, no conversation as to why the candidate should be elected. There is nothing else done for campaign purposes other than caravaning. In a caravan the candidate, usually accompanied by the President of his party, rides through the streets accompanied by a few party faithful, thousands of paid participants wildly waving colored flags, and blaring music. The idea is to convince the observers on the street that this is the person that is going to win. It is important that the public be convinced that they are seeing the winner.
Also, each party pays to have voter preference polls. These, somehow, always come out showing that the party that paid for the poll is going to win. The loser always argues that the Polls are wrong. Again, it is important that the public is convinced as to who the winner will be.
Why?
A cedula is the identity card given to all residents. They are also the card that is used to allow a citizen to vote. In a country where a huge percentage of the people sell their cedulas for $20 or $30 the seller wants to make sure that they are selling it the winner so that after they win, they can go and beg more favors, or at the least, a little more money.