Dominican Republic president declares victory

In 1994, Congress finally barred sitting presidents from seeking new terms, a restriction that kept Fernandez from running for re-election after his first term, from 1996 to 2000. Congress lifted the ban in 2002, allowing presidents to run for four more years.

Because candidates were listed alongside the name of each political party that endorsed them, Fernandez appeared on the ballot 12 separate times. Vargas was listed four times and each of the other candidates was listed once.

Dominican citizens also voted abroad in 17 cities in Latin America, Europe and the United States. Voters braved the rain to cast votes in New York, where Fernandez grew up.

In a country where only baseball stirs greater passions than politics, bars and liquor stores were closed in the hopes of preventing violence.

Observers from the Organization of American States said the election went smoothly despite isolated incidents of violence. Four people were killed, including an ex-lawmaker and Fernandez supporter who died in a clash Wednesday between partisans.

At one polling station, a pair of neighbors got into an arm-waving debate after casting their ballots.

Adamilka Castro, a 37-year-old elementary school teacher who supported Vargas, said some of her students lack shoes and get their only daily meal at school. "We need to meet our basic needs as human beings," she said.

Rafael Saldania, her 35-year-old artist neighbor, retorted that Fernandez's government was on the right track: "Give it four more years; things will get better."

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Associated Press Writer Laura Candelas contributed to this report.