Federal prosecutor appointed to supervise complaints in general elections in Puerto Rico

( Spanish) –– The head of the United States Attorney’s Office in Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, announced in recent days the appointment of federal prosecutor Seth Erbe as District Electoral Officer (DEO) of Puerto Rico.

According to a press release, Erbe will be tasked with supervising, together with the United States Department of Justice, complaints that arise related to possible violations of voting rights, threats against electoral officials and employees, and acts of electoral fraud. This is part of the so-called “Election Day Program”, which the Department of Justice launches in the states and territories for the date of the electoral elections.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office reported that Erbe also holds the position of assistant prosecutor of the Financial Fraud and Corruption Division of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.

The general elections on the island are scheduled to take place on November 5.

In these elections, the positions of governor, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in Washington, mayors and members of the municipal and state legislative assemblies are elected.

The political parties that will participate are the New Progressive Party (PNP); Popular Democratic Party (PPD); Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP); Dignity Project (PD) and the Citizen Victory Movement (MVC).

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to perform their duties without being subject to unlawful threats of violence,” Muldrow said.

In addition, it was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will have special agents stationed in local offices throughout the island to process any complaint that interrupts the electoral process.

For its part, the State Election Commission of Puerto Rico expressed itself in accordance with the initiative of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.

“At the Commission we welcome and encourage any effort that, officially, is directed towards these ends. For us, it is essential to safeguard the rights of voters at all stages of the processes, which is why we welcome the appointment of prosecutor Seth Erbe as District Election Officer. As usual, the Commission will offer all necessary support to the efforts of the federal prosecutor in the performance of such an important function,” said Jessika Padilla, interim president of the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico, in written statements.