New York – The State Elections Commission (CEE) has not yet announced whether it will begin a formal investigation into complaints from members of the Citizen Victory Movement (MVC) about alleged electoral fraud by members of the reelection campaign of San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero during a presidential election.
Last Friday, the electoral commissioner of the MVC, Lillian Aponte Dones, sent a letter to the interim president of the CEE, Jessika Padilla Rivera, to request an “urgent investigation,” El Vocero reported on Tuesday, referring to the letter.
The complainants allege that Romero’s team allegedly requested confidential information from a group of elderly people at an aegis with the intention of soliciting early votes for the New Progressive Party (PNP) candidate.
For Romero’s opponents, the action could be classified as electoral fraud.
Manuel Natal is the MVC candidate for mayor of the capital and has been at odds with Romero since the last elections on several issues including the results that ended up giving Romero the victory. The MVC is in alliance with the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) in the face of the general elections.
“I am writing to you with great concern to request an urgent investigation into serious allegations that directly compromise the integrity of our electoral process. The allegations received suggest the existence of a possible cyber and electoral fraud scheme that must be addressed expeditiously,” reads the letter sent by Aponte Dones to the CEE.
In the letter, the MVC electoral commissioner also refers to the images of the meeting that have been shared on social media.
“We have received alarming information about images that have been circulated, in which people who appear to be dressed in uniforms and identified as State Election Commission personnel are seen participating in a highly suspicious and potentially illegal process. According to the reports, Early Voting Applications are being distributed to residents of a shelter in San Juan, requiring them to include their Electronic Electoral Registry (eRe system) password,” the document details.
According to the electoral commissioner of the emerging party, Romero’s campaign could have incurred state and federal crimes, such as violation of privacy and security, cyber and financial fraud, and identity theft, among others.
Aponte Dones urged the interim president of the CEE to follow up with the relevant federal authorities, such as the federal Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in case there is evidence of cyber fraud.
Last Thursday, Padilla Rivera said the MVC supporters’ claim was under consideration, but he did not comment on a formal investigation.
Natal Albelo’s specific allegation is that the incumbent’s campaign was using a form that asked voters for their email address and password, as well as their personal information to access the Electronic Voter Registry (eRE).
El Diario contacted the press staff of the municipality of San Juan to request a reaction regarding the letter, but we have not yet received a response.
Romero’s campaign manager, Ángel Cintrón, described Natal Albelo’s allegations as false.
“No one has stolen confidential information from any voter, nor has anyone had access to confidential information from a voter, nor does anyone have the ability to conceal information or have access to anyone’s financial information,” Cintrón said in written statements also cited by El Vocero.
According to Cintrón, members of Romero’s team obtained permission to visit the space and help the seniors, who identified themselves as PNP, fill out the application for early voting.
“At no time has the voter been asked for a password or confidential voter information obtained for anyone else’s use. At no time has their rights or the Electoral Law been violated,” the campaign director stated.
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